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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1970 March; 19(3): 458-462
Copyright © 1970 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Unusual Sphaerophorus Species from the Large Intestine of Man

Medical Division, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830

ABSTRACT

An obligately anaerobic, gram-negative microorganism identified as a Sphaerophorus species was recovered from the fecal material of two cancer (chronic myelogenous leukemia and idiopathic thrombocythemia) patients receiving cobalt radiation therapy. The organism, isolated on sheep blood-agar, exhibited extreme pleomorphism (rods, filaments, and spheroids) and was a major component of the anaerobic fecal microflora. In one patient the numbers of Sphaerophorus species (designated as isolate 6-13-68), Bacteroides species, and Clostridium perfringens declined after irradiation; however, they were stable in this same patient after a second therapeutic dose of radiation. The numbers of anaerobes in the other patient remained fairly consistent after radiation. The biochemical and morphological characteristics and carbohydrate fermentation reactions of isolate 6-13-68 most closely resembled those of Sphaerophorus ridiculosis.

¹ Present address: University of Wisconsin Medical School and Hospital, Madison, Wis. 53706.