EN
The pathogenicity of 68 strains of A. hydrophila and 44 of A. sobria was assessed in two-year-old carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). The fish were selected from erythro- dermatitis-free farms and were adapted to the laboratory environment for one month; then they were infected with a subepidermal bacterial suspension. The inoculum contained 107 bacterial cells in 0,2 ml of 0.85 per cent beffered salt solution (PBS). The haemolytic activity was tested on horse blood agar (a base with 5 per cent defibrinated blood) and the proteolytic activity on a base with 15 per cent of gelatine. The individual strains of A. hydrophila and A. sobria displayed different haemolytic and proteolytic activity and also different pathogenicity. Pronounced haemolytic activity was found in 93 per cent of highly pathogenic strains of A. hydrophila and in 87.5 per cent of distinctly pathogenic strains of A. sobria. The above properties were also noted in the 45 per cent and 10 per cent mildly pathogenic strains, respectively. However, these characteristics were also found in 15 per cent nonpathogenic strains of A. hydrophila. Combined pronounced haemolytic and proteolytic activity were displayed in 90 per cent of highly pathogenic strains of A. hydrophila and 87.5 per cent of A. sobria. Only one non-pathogenic strain of A. hydrophila also possessed a marked haemolytic and proteolytic activity.