Growth and Manometric Studies on Carbohydrate Utilization of Brucella

Twelve strains of Brucella (four each of the three species) were studied for their ability to grow in a simple basal medium containing one of 9 carbohydrates (erythritol, arabinose, xylose, glucose, galactose, mannose, fructose, sucrose, trehalose) as sole carbon and energy source. The Brucella suis strains grew with all compounds as did the Brucella melitensis strains in most instances. Brucella abortus strains exhibited a narrower range of activity. All 12 strains were carried through 10 transplants in erythritol, while 11 were maintained in glucose. The same 12 strains and 9 carbohydrates were used in man-ometric studies. With few exceptions, oxygen uptake occurred with all strains and all compounds. Superior activity occurred with Br. abortus in the presence of erythritol, glucose, galactose, and fructose ; with Br. suis in the presence of erythritol, arabinose, glucose, xylose, and galactose; and with Br. melitensis with glucose. Mannose and fructose provided for moderate activity of Br. melitensis.