RT Journal A1 ROCHA H, GUZE LB T1 INfections due to bacterium anitratum JF A.M.A. Archives of Internal Medicine JO A.M.A. Archives of Internal Medicine YR 1957 FD August 1 VO 100 IS 2 SP 272 OP 275 DO 10.1001/archinte.1957.00260080098019 UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1957.00260080098019 AB Introduction  Bacterium anitratum is a Gram-negative bacillus having many characteristics of the Enterobacteriaceae but differing in its inability to reduce nitrate. In many laboratories it is still reported as an unidentified Gram-negative bacillus, and its doubtful position in bacteriologic nomenclature has also received some attention, with varying opinions.1-3 Since the original descriptions by Schaub and Hauber 4 and Stuart et al.,5 several papers have described its isolation, cultural and biochemical characteristics, and sensitivities to antibiotics.6-8 Little information has been provided in connection with its pathogenicity for man. The purpose of this paper is to report three cases in which B. anitratum appeared to play a significant pathogenic role.Bacteriologic Methods  A. Identification of Bacterium Anitratum.  —The organism is a nonmotile Gram-negative bacillus, with marked bipolar staining. It grows well on desoxycholate agar, with no, or very slow, lactose fermentation and is inhibited on SS (Difco) agar. In