Abstract
A total of 49 strains of B, coli 055 were collected from various localities in Japan. Epidemiology of the infantile diarrhea caused by this microorganism wts discussed. Biological and serological behaviors of this microorganism were discussed. Stated in the following are the resultss obtained thereof:
1. The 49 strains of 055 employed in the present study were 45 strains isolated from human epidemics and 1 strain from the sea water of Tokyo port, 1 strain isolated from an ark shell and 2 strains isolated from the washing water of fish mongers in Tokyo. The 45 human strains were collected from the epidemics in Tokyo, Matsumoto, Nagoya and Okayama districts.
2. The 49 strains of 055 were classified tentatively into 7 subtypes on the basis of the findings of carbohydrate fermentation tests.
3. Of various small experimental animals, 055 was found to be infective on young rabbits and cats. Spontaneous infection attempted on cats was successful.
4. All the 49 strains of 055 did not show hemolytic action but 4 of them showed necrotic action.
5. All the 49 strains of 055 did not have any resistance against chloramphenicol.
6. As for the serotypes of the 49 strains, 50% were 055: B55: H2, 17.5% were 055: B5: H6, 12.5% were 055: B5: H. and 2.5% were 055: B5: H4. In the remaining 17.5%, it appears that H7, 10, 21 and other new serotypes are included.
Described in the above are the classification and the distribution of pathogenic coli strain 055 isolated in Japan.
