An arabinose-fermenting bacterium of the lactose-negative, mannitol-negative shigella group

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Abstract
15 strains of a gram-negative, coliform, non-motile bacterium of the lactose-negative, mannitol-negative Shigella group were isolated from patients with enteritis. The organism is indole-negative, Voges-Proskauer-negative and does not liquefy gelatin. It ferments glucose with production of acid but not gas. It fails to ferment lactose, mannitol, sucrose, xylose, rhamnose, raffinose, dulcitol, maltose, inositol, salicin and citrate. The organism shows no cross agglutination with S. dysenteriae or S. ambigua. Antigenically, 2 types have been found. Type A strains ferment arabinose within 2-5 days. Type B strains require 7-25 days to ferment the sugar. In view of its late fermentation of arabinose, the name Shigella arabino-tarda is proposed for this organism.

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