While bacterial endocarditis is common, endocarditis due to Bacterium acidi-lactici appears to be unique; at least, I have found no other case in the literature. Winslow1 considered this micro-organism to be a separate species in the Bact. coli group, although Topley and Wilson2 regarded it as one of the varieties of Bact. coli. Ford3 placed it in the Bact. mucosum-capsulatum group, and suggested for it the name Bact. duodenale.
It was first described by Hueppe4 in 1884. It resembles the other bacilli of the colon group. It is gram-negative, nonmotile and nonsporulating. It forms indole, reduces nitrates, coagulates milk and does not liquefy gelatin. It is found in milk, water and the intestinal tract of man. It is distinguished from other types of Bact. coli, from Bact. lactis-aerogenes, and from Friedländer's bacillus by its characteristic sugar fermentations. It ferments dextrose, lactose, adonite and mannite, but does