Selective enumeration of Fusobacterium necrophorum from the bovine rumen.

A culture medium containing lactate as the sole energy source and antibiotics (bacitracin, gentamicin, and streptomycin) was used for selection and enumeration of Fusobacterium necrophorum from bovine ruminal contents. F. necrophorum growth was determined by indole production, and enumeration was performed by the most-probable-number technique. The number of F. necrophorum cells in cattle fed a 100% forage diet was 7 x 10(5)/g of ruminal contents. The number increased (P < 0.05) 10-fold after the diet was changed to 85% corn grain.