STUDIES ON THE NUTRITION OF PASTEURELLA TULARENSIS

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Abstract
Eleven of 12 virulent and avirulent strains of Pasteurella tularensis were grown successfully in the following chemically defined medium: 13 essential amino acids (arginine, aspartic acid, cysteine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine), glucose, NaCl, K phosphate, Mg sulfate, thiamine, spermine, and a suitable buffer system (e.g tris). One strain requires pantothenic acid in addition. The optimal concentration of the various ingredients were determined. Spermine or spermidine (5-10 [mu]g/ml), and to a lesser extent putrescine, cadaverine, or agmatine, reduce considerably the lag phase and increase the final amount of growth. These substances also exert a sparing effect on the amount of buffer required for optimal growth. Aeration, which was found essential for growth from large inocula, proved detrimental when small inocula were used. Cultivation from small inocula is successful, with some strains, when a suitable thiol compound (e.g. cysteine) is added and stationary growth conditions are maintained; addition of pyridoxal is beneficial.