Classification of human and animal strains of Fusobacterium necrophorum by their pathogenic effects in mice

Abstract

Forty-six strains of Fusobacterium necrophorum, 24 from animals and 22 of human origin, were examined by pathogenicity tests in mice, while the same strains were being examined in laboratories elsewhere by other methods. The pathogenicity tests consisted of (1) subcutaneous inoculation with a large dose of a pure culture, (2) subcutaneous inoculation with a small dose of E necrophorum mixed with a large but relatively harmless dose of Staphylococcus aureus, and (3) intravenous inoculation with a large dose of a pure culture. Fourteen strains, all of animal origin, showed the characteristic behaviour of biotype A. Twenty-eight strains, 10 of animal origin and 18 from man, were classified as biotype B. The remaining four strains, all from man, produced a distinct type of infection in mice; these strains were referred to as 'A2433-like' because of their resemblance to a strain described in an earlier study. It would appear that biotype A strains, responsible for classical necrobacillosis in animals, do not infect man; that biotype B strains occur in both man and animals; and that 'A2433-like' strains are probably confined to man.

Factor H Binding as a Complement Evasion Mechanism for an Anaerobic Pathogen, Fusobacterium necrophorum

“…F. necrophorum subsp. funduliforme, related to both animal and human infections, has been less studied than the subspecies necrophorum (22,23). In our study, all strains belonged to the subspecies funduliforme.…”

Fusobacterium necrophorum as the cause of recurrent sore throat: comparison of isolates from persistent sore throat syndrome and Lemierre's disease

“…funduliforme being identified from both animals and humans. 10 None of the isolates tested grouped together with the F. necrophorum ssp. necrophorum control but 13 of the 34 isolates tested grouped with the F. necrophorum ssp.…”

Fusobacterial head and neck infections in children

“…Fusobacteria can enhance the growth of other anaerobic and aerobic organisms as was demonstrated in animal studies [11,21].…”