Plasmid-specified Sucrose Fermentation in Salmonella arizonae

Abstract
Thirty cultures of S. arizonae 47:r:253 (Ar23:24-25) were isolated over 7 mo. from the feces of a captive reptile [gila monster]. All were unusual in the inability to produce a positive o-nitrophenyl-.beta.-D-galactosidase reaction and in their ability to ferment sucrose. These S. arizonae carried a plasmid having a molecular mass of 72 Md which specified tetracycline resistance and a plasmid of 5 Md which coded for the ability to ferment sucrose. The small size of this sucrose plasmid clearly distinguishes it from others which were reported.