Nonfermentative Bacilli Associated with Man: I. Nomenclature

Abstract

During the past five years major advances have been made in the nutritional, chemical, and genetic characterization and taxonomy of nonfermentative bacilli, particularly the genera Acinetobacter, Moraxella, and Pseudomonas. Since strains of these three genera represent more than 80% of all nonfermentative bacilli recovered from clinical specimens, these advances also represent a major contribution toward their correct identification. Evidence from such advances supports the conclusion that many of these bacilli cannot be correctly identified by means of the biochemical tests conventionally used in clinical bacteriology.