The growth and morphological changes of the genus Bordetella in rotated fluid glycine cultures

Abstract

B. pertussis phase I (17 strains), atypical B. pertussis (4 strains), B. parapertussis (5 strains), and B. bronchiseptica (10 strains) were observed for morphological changes in rotated fluid cultures containing graded concentrations of glycine. Differences between the species were apparent in their tolerance to glycine and in their morphology. B. pertussis, the most fastidious species, was the least tolerant and showed fewest morphological changes when grown in glycine media. Strains of B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica, collectively, were the most tolerant to glycine and showed the greatest pleomorphism, and the atypical B. pertussis strains were divided between two extremes.