Sequence of Structural Changes in Cultures of Clostridium Tetani Grown on a Solid Medium

SUMMARY The life cycle of a swarming culture of Clostridium tetani has been examined by light and electron microscopy. Onset of swarming is accompanied by cell elongation and nuclear multiplication without cellular division. As swarming progresses, the elongating bacteria produce a greatly increased complement of flagella; the nuclei are seen to be neatly and evenly distributed throughout the cytoplasm and not separated by cross-septa. These findings are discussed in the light of recent studies on the swarming of Proteus species.