Abstract
The genus Streptobacillus is presently represented by one species, Streptobacillus moniliformis, the etiologic agent of rat-bite fever and Haverill fever. S. moniliformis has also been known as Haverhillia multiformis, Actinomyces muris, Actinobacillus muris,and Haverhillia moniliformis. Although the genus Streptobacillus was described in the 1920s, taxonomically it continues to be a genus of uncertain affiliation. Previously this genus was placed in the families Parvobacteriaceae (Tribe Haemophileae) and Bacteroidaceae. Since the 8th edition of Bergy’s Manual, Streptobacillus has been described as a genus of “uncertain affiliation.” It was recently suggested (Savage, 1989) that S. moniliformis is more similar to some of the Mycoplasmatales. This suggestion is based on the low GC content of the DNA (24–26 mol%), serum or blood requirements for growth, cholesterol incorporation into the cell membrane, animal parasitism, and production of L-phase organisms. Further clarification of the taxonomic position of this genus awaits genetic studies, such as DNA-RNA hybridizations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Literature Cited
Aluotto, B. B., R. G. Wittier, C. D. Williams, and J. E. Faber. 1970. Standardized bacteriologic techniques for characterization of Mycoplasma species. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 20: 35–58.
Anderson, L. C., S. L. Leary, and R. J. Manning. 1983. Rat bite fever in animal research laboratory personnel. Lab. Animal Sci. 33: 292–294.
Cohen, R. L., R. G. Wittler, and J. E. Faber. 1968. Modified biochemical tests for characterization of L-phase variants of bacteria. Appl. Microbiol. 16: 1655–1662.
Lambe, D. W., A. M. McPhedran, J. A. Mertz, and P. Stewart. 1973. Streptobacillus moniliformis isolated from a case of haverhill fever: biochemical characterization and inhibitory effect of sodium polyanethol sulfonate. Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 60: 854–860.
McHugh, T. P., R. L. Bartlett, and J. I. Raymond. 1985. Rat bite fever: Report of a fatal case. Ann. Emerg. Med. 14 (2): 1116–1118.
Rowenbotham, T. J. 1983. Rapid identification of Streptobacillus moniliformis. Lancet ii: 567.
Savage, N. 1984. Genus Streptobacillus Levaditi, Nicolau and Poincloux 1925, 1188, p. 598–600. In: N. R. Krieg and J. G. Holt (ed.), Bergey’s manual of systematic bacteriology, vol. 1. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.
Sens, M. A., E. W. Brown, L. R. Wilson, T. P. Crocker. 1989. Fatal Streptobacillus moniliformis infection in a two-month old infant. Am. J. Clin. J. Clin. Pathol. 91: 612–616.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Greenwood, J.R., Harvey, S.M. (1992). Streptobacillus moniliformis. In: Balows, A., Trüper, H.G., Dworkin, M., Harder, W., Schleifer, KH. (eds) The Prokaryotes. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2191-1_64
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2191-1_64
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-2193-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-2191-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive