SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS OF AEROMONAS HYDROPHILA RECOVERED FROM TROUT TISSUES

Abstract

The influence of in vivo growth on the surface characteristics of Aeromonas hydrophila serotype 0:34 was examined. Strain L57 was grown in rainbow trout muscle by infecting animals at a localized site. The method permitted an easy recovery of the strain in pure culture and a good bacterial yield. Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of capsule-like material on the surface of the cells grown in vivo but not on the cells grown in vitro. In our experimental conditions, Western blots showed a lack of antigenic differences between the LPS synthesized in vivo and in vitro.