Effect of Temperature on Flagellation, Motility and Swarming of Proteus

Abstract

IT was noted¹ that the swarming of Proteus hauseri was more extensive at room temperature than at 37° C and variants were described which were motile at 37° C but formed swarming colonies only at room temperature. Apart from observations² on a single strain of P. vulgaris there are no reports about the effects of temperature on flagellar synthesis by P. hauseri, and it was decided to investigate it in relation to motility and swarming. Strains investigated were those previously³ used. Strains of P. morganii, P. rettgeri and Providence used in the same investigation were also examined. The solid media were those of Naylor⁴ with Difco agar replacing Oxoid agar. The medium without sodium chloride is named N and the other is called S. These media were also used at an agar concentration of 1 per cent. Plates were well dried before use. The liquid medium was Oxoid nutrient broth. These 5 media were inoculated with single loopfuls of overnight broth cultures grown at 22° C. Cultures were kept in incubators at 22°, 37°, and 43° C and examined after 24 h for spread and motility by hanging-drop preparations, for flagella by staining, and H antigens were determined by slide agglutination of living cultures. Antigens for anti-sera production were grown in broth and killed with formalin.