A more comprehensive description of Bacterium salmonicida

The purpose of this study was to establish a set of descriptive data which could be used as a reference or a standard in the identification of Bacterium salmonicida, the cause of furunculosis in fish. Since a complete description of B. salmonicida was not available, bacteriologists were not in a position to identify this microorganism in a manner which would meet the rigorous requirements of present‐day bacteriology.

Ten strains of B. salmonicida were employed in these studies. A detailed description is presented which includes the morphological, cultural, and physiological characteristics of B. salmonicida. In addition, various factors such as oxygen, pH, temperature, and composition of media are discussed in terms of their influence on the formation of the melanin‐like pigment which is characteristically produced by this microorganism.