LACTOSE-FERMENTING BACTERIA FROM THE INTESTINAL CONTENTS OF MARINE FISH

Abstract

From 112 marine fishes examined for the presence of lactose-fermenting bacteria, 31 strains were isolated which produced acid and gas in this sugar and 3 which produced acid only.Ten strains belonged to the genus Aerobacter, 8 being Aer. aerogenes and 2 probably varieties of Aer. cloacae. Nine were soil types and the relationship of one was doubtful.Of 24 Escherichia types, 8 were faecal mammalian strains and one was doubtful. These belonged to the species Esch. coli, Esch. communior, Esch. grünthali and Bact. immobilis. One was found in a haddock taken 3 miles offshore; the others were found in fish taken in contaminated waters or near shore.Esch. coli, Esch. communior and Aer. aerogenes are not normal inhabitants of the intestinal tracts of marine fish.