In the previous report biochemical characteristics of an isolate from a vibriosis in eels were presented and the taxonomic status of the isolate was discussed, though a definite conclusion could not be drawn. In this paper, physiological characteristics and pathogenicity of the organism are described.
The experimental results are summarized as follows.
1) Effects of sodium chloride, temperature and pH on the growth of the organism: It grew in nutrient broth at NaCl 0.1-4% (optimum range 1-2%), and in peptone water at temperatures from 18°C to 39°C (optimum 30-35°C) and at pH 6-10.
2) Pathogenicity to eel (Anguilla japonica) and mouse: The organism injected intramuscularly killed eels at 18, 20 and 26°C, but not at 15°C. It also killed mice.
These results coincide with the fact that the vibriosis due to the organism prevails mainly in brackish-water ponds and at the water temperatures above 18°C.