Some Growth Requirements of Erysipelothrix and Listerella.

The production of antisera against E. rhusiopathiae, the causative agent of swine erysipelas and human erysipeloid, has been hindered by the poor growth of the organism in media not enriched with blood serum. The data on its growth requirements, reviewed by Karlson and Merchant (1941), are limited to descriptions of behavior in routine media. An analysis of its growth essentials was therefore initiated in order to find a simple culture medium which would allow good growth and be free of the potentially dangerous antigens of serum. Such information might also help to clarify the taxonomic position of the organism.