SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS OF AEROMONAS-HYDROPHILA RECOVERED FROM TROUT TISSUES

The influence of in vivo growth on the surface characteristics of Aero monas hydrophila serotype 0:34 was examined. Strain L57 was grown in r ainbow trout muscle by infecting animals at a localized site. The meth od permitted an easy recovery of the strain in pure culture and a good bacterial yield. Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of capsule-like material on the surface of the cells grown in vivo bu t not on the cells grown in vitro. In our experimental conditions, Wes tern blots showed a lack of antigenic differences between the LPS synt hesized in vivo and in vitro.