Manual for the Classification and Determination of the Anaerobic Bacteria

American bacteriologists will welcome the English translation of the Manual for the Classification of the Anaerobic Bacteria by André Prévot.The anaerobic bacteria are presently attracting greater interest as antibiotic therapy and improved laboratory procedures increase the number of isolations from clinical material. The Prévot classification endeavors to define organisms according to bacterial genetics. The branches are grouped according to similar characteristics.Classes—dependent on morphologyOrders—on structureFamilies—on cytochemical relationshipsGenera—morphologically and physiologically relatedSpecies—mosaic of antigens and enzymes.This classification is logical and easy to follow but will bring some confusion to the many who have accepted the general principles of the Bergey Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. As an example the terminology of the Clostridia most frequently associated with human pathology varies considerably from that given by Bergey.Order I Clostridiales (Bergey Eubacteriales)Family II Clostridiaceae (Bergey Bacillaceae)Genus II Welchia (Bergy Clostridium)Species I W. perfringens (Bergey C. perfringens)The tetanus bacillus is placed inOrder II Plectridiales (Bergey Eubacteriales)