CHARACTERIZATION OF OXIDASE-NEGATIVE, GRAM-NEGATIVE COCCOBACILLI (ACHROMOBACTER-ACINETOBACTER GROUP)

More than 70 morphological, biochemical, and nutritional characters of 291 strains of aerobic, oxidase-negative, gram-negative coccobacilli representing the Achromobacter-Acinetobacter group of bacteria were examined. The subdivision of these bacteria is discussed in terms of glucolytic activity in a modified infusion medium, production of gelatinase, hemolysis of blood agar, growth on SS Agar, and utilization of selected organic compounds as the sole source of carbon and energy. On the basis of these characters the bacteria were divided into three major groups - glucolytic, nonglucolytic, and proteolytic which comprised six less clearly defined minor subgroups. Generic and species names currently applied to these bacteria are listed. © 1969 Swets & Zeitlinger.