Effectiveness of the Integument and Gastric Fluid as Barriers Against Transmission of Gaffkya homari to the Lobster Homarus americanus

A rupture of the integument was shown to be essential for the transmission of Gaffkya homari to the lobster Homarus americanus. The acidity of the lobster gastric fluid was bactericidal for G. homari and was an adequate barrier against transmission of gaffkemia by the oral route. Lytic activity associated with the larger protein molecules of lobster gastric fluid, but not with the bactericidal effect of the acid condition, was weakly active against Micrococcus lysodeikticus but was not active against G. homari. The acidity of the lobster stomach is a function of the acidic protein molecules rather than a result of an excess of small, acidic molecules.