Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “BACTERIOLOGY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Effect of penethamate hydriodide treatment on bacteriological cure, somatic cell count and milk production of cows and quarters with chronic subclinical Streptococcus uberis or Streptococcus dysgalactiae infection.

A randomized, controlled field trial was performed in The Netherlands to determine the therapeutic efficacy of parenteral penethamate hydriodide (Leocillin) against naturally occurring, chronic, streptococcal mastitis during lactation. Quarter milk samples were collected from subclinical cases of Streptococcus uberis or Streptococcus dysgalactiae mastitis to determine the effect of treatment on bacteriological cure and somatic cell count (SCC) at quarter level. A quarter was considered to be cured when the bacterial species, isolated prior to treatment, was not isolated from the quarter milk samples taken on days 10 and 20 post-treatment (bacteriological cure), or when a quarter milk SCC (QMSCC) was <250000 cells/ml on days 10 and 20 post-treatment (SCC cure). Longitudinal data analysis was performed to determine the effect of antibiotic therapy on SCC and milk yield at cow level. Bacteriological cure occurred in 59% of 29 treated quarters, while no cure was observed in any of the 21 untreated control quarters. Treatment resulted in a significant decrease in SCC at cow and quarter level in comparison with untreated controls. There was no significant effect of treatment on milk production. Antibacterial treatment of subclinical streptococcal infections during lactation also prevented clinical mastitis. Furthermore, the treatment may contribute to reduction of bulk milk SCC and to prevention of pathogen spread in dairy herds.

Animals↗

Bacteriological examination of the water supply on an Antarctic base.

Faraday Base represents a small isolated community producing its own domestic water by desalination of sea water. During the Antarctic winter of 1986 (April to October), regular bacteriological examination of the water supply and surrounding sea took place. Samples were collected and examined every 2 weeks by the methods described in the Department of Health and Social Security Report No. 71, on the Bacteriological Examination of Drinking Water Supplies (DHSS, 1982), for membrane filtration and colony counting. The results of these examinations are presented in this paper. The results obtained suggest that water of good bacteriological quality was produced by the desalination plant, but some samples from the distribution system contained coliforms or presumptive Escherichia coli in small numbers. The possible reasons for this low-level contamination are discussed. No cases of gastroenteritis occurred on the base during this time.

Antarctic Regions↗

Contamination of banked femoral head allograft: incidence, bacteriology and donor follow up.

BACKGROUND: Allograft donations are not uncommonly found to be contaminated. The issue of contaminated donations from live donors at the time of surgery, and the significance of this to the patient in terms of subsequent sepsis of the arthroplasty, were examined. METHODS: The donations of femoral heads to the Queensland Bone Bank over a 9-year period were reviewed, and the incidence and bacteriology of contamination were detailed. Clinical outcomes were determined for donors who had positive cultures at the time of retrieval and they were compared with those of culture-negative donors. RESULTS: Between March 1987 and February 1996, 232 femoral heads were donated to the Queensland Bone Bank. Four specimens were sent for culture with each femoral head (surface swab of femoral head, acetabular swab, bone biopsy and capsule). In 51 cases, one or more positive cultures were obtained (22% contamination rate). The majority of organisms cultured were Staphylococcus epidermidis. One hundred and seventy donations came from surgery performed at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, and 40 femoral heads were considered contaminated. Deep infection was recorded in one of the 40 cases with contaminated donations and three out of 130 non-contaminated donations had subsequent septic episodes. CONCLUSION: The contamination rate detailed in the present report is higher than in most series. This may be due to the fact that four bacteriological specimens are taken to assess contamination. Two of these specimens are tissue samples which yielded more positive results than did the two swabs. All other series take no more than two bacteriological specimens, which are usually bone swabs. These are shown to have a poor yield of positive cultures. Therefore there is a significant underestimation of contamination rates by other bone banks. This has implications for the recipients of bone from those banks, particularly when the allograft material is not secondarily sterilized. This is important given increasing allograft usage, and the increasing numbers of revision joint arthroplasty and impaction grafting procedures being performed. Sterilization of all bone by irradiation to 25 kGy is recommended.

Acetabulum↗

Molecular genetic methods in the veterinary clinical bacteriology laboratory: current usage and future applications.

In the last 5 years, numerous molecular methods have been published for the detection and characterization of bacteria in the field of veterinary medicine. PCR has been the most commonly used technology. Although not currently used for clinical veterinary diagnosis, new technologies such as liquid-phase hybridization, real-time PCR, pathogen load determination and DNA/protein microarray have been described and have many possible applications in the clinical bacteriology laboratory because of their sensitivity and efficiency. This review describes the basic principles and application of recently published DNA-based molecular techniques for the purpose of veterinary clinical bacteriological diagnosis. It covers advances in probe hybridization technology, DNA/RNA amplification techniques and other molecular detection methods, including 16S rRNA analysis for bacterial characterization and DNA microarrays for bacterial detection. The review briefly summarizes the application of molecular methods for the diagnosis of specific important bacterial infections of animals, and for other animal pathogens that are slow or difficult to isolate in the clinical bacteriology laboratory. In addition, the molecular detection of antimicrobial resistance genes and of bovine mastitis pathogens is briefly described and current commercially available tests are listed.

Animals↗

Appropriate antibiotic use according to diagnoses and bacteriological findings: report of 12 point-prevalence studies on antibiotic use in a university hospital.

The objective of this study was to evaluate antibiotic use in relation to diagnoses and bacteriological findings in a 600-bed Norwegian university hospital. Twelve point-prevalence studies of antibiotic use were conducted between 1996 and 1999. In the point-prevalence studies, 1,096 of 6,588 adult patients (16.6%) used on average 1.25 antibiotics each. Of the patients who received antibiotics, 35% were treated for hospital-acquired infections. Lower respiratory tract and urinary tract infections accounted for more than half of all antibiotic use. Pencillins represented 54% of antibiotic use, cephalosporins 9%, quinolones 6% and antifungal agents 0.7%. The prescribed daily doses for the penicillins were 2-3 times higher than the defined daily doses. Bacteriological samples were obtained from 929 (85%) patients. Compliance with the guidelines was > 90% and was highest when the results of bacteriological samples were positive. Good compliance led to low prevalence of antibiotic use and the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics.

Aged↗

Gross abnormalities, bacteriology and histological lesions of uteri of dairy cows failing to conceive or maintain pregnancy.

AIM: To describe the gross pathology, bacteriology and histopathology of the reproductive tracts of dairy cows that failed to conceive or maintain pregnancy. METHODS: The reproductive tracts of 105 cows that were not pregnant at the end of the seasonal breeding programme were retrieved following slaughter. The tracts were examined grossly, both horns of the uterine lumen were swabbed for bacteriology, and tissue was collected from each horn and the body of the uterus for histopathology. Grossly enlarged uteri and tracts containing purulent vaginal content were excluded. Histopathology was performed on three sections of uterine tissue from each of three cows in which no gross pathological changes were detected and from which no bacteria were isolated, from three cows in which no gross pathology was detected but from which bacteria were isolated, and from three cows in which gross pathological changes were detected but from which no bacteria were isolated. RESULTS: Thirty-six (34%) cows had one or more gross lesions which involved the ovary, uterine tube, uterus or vagina. Bacteria were isolated from the uteri of 22 (21%) cows. Isolates included Arcanobacterium pyogenes (n = 1), Escherichia coli (n = 1), Fusobacterium spp (n = 1), Haemophilus somnus (n = 5), Streptococcus acidominimus (n = 12), S. bovis (n = 2), S. uberis (n = 1) and S. salivarious (n = 1). In only five cows were both gross pathology and bacteria detected. There was no relationship between the isolation of bacteria and the diagnosis of gross pathology of the uterus. There were no differences in the degree of histopathological changes in the uteri from the three groups of cows examined, and lesions present were minor. CONCLUSIONS: Gross pathological changes and intra-uterine bacteria were found in 34% and 20% of cows, respectively, but the correlation between the two was poor. Histopathological changes were unremarkable, suggesting the bacteriological findings were coincidental, that causative agents of infertility were not present at the time of examination, or that unrelated causes such as nutritional anoestrus may have been responsible for the failure of some cows to conceive.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Incorporation of galactomannans in the diet of newly weaned piglets: effect on bacteriological and some morphological characteristics of the small intestine.

In search of substances replacing antibiotics as growth promoters for farm animals, non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDO) or non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) have been proposed as possible alternatives. In this context, the influence of galactomannans on bacteriological and morphological aspects of the gastrointestinal tract in weanling pigs was investigated. Four groups of five newly weaned piglets received one of the following diets: control feed (C), C supplemented with guar gum (1%), C supplemented with locust bean gum (1%) and C supplemented with 10% of carob tree seeds meal as source of locust bean gum. The animals were euthanized after 11-12 days and digesta were sampled in stomach, jejunum (proximal and distal) and caecum, while mucosal scrapings and ring shaped tissue samples were taken of proximal and distal jejunum. On these samples bacteriological, biochemical and morphological determinations were carried out. Total count of bacteria in digesta and mucosal scrapings was not influenced by the different diets, with the exception of the proximal jejunum where a small decrease (0.5 log10 CFU) was noted with the guar gum and carob tree seeds diet. The number of E. coli increased by feeding both gums and carob tree seeds. With the latter diet, higher counts of streptococci were observed. In agreement with the lower concentration of lactic acid in jejunal contents, guar gum decreased the number of lactobacilli. Locust bean gum decreased the molar proportion of acetate in caecal contents while butyrate and valerate were augmented. Feeding the carob tree seeds resulted in shorter villi and a lower villus height/crypt depth ratio in the jejunum mucosa, which was an indication for a faster renewal rate of the epithelium. Both locust bean gum feeds significantly lowered the mitotic index in the crypts of the small intestine. Only with the carob tree seeds diet, viscosity of jejunal contents was increased. In conclusion, the effects of the addition of 1% of pure guar gum or locust bean gum were inconsistent and not very outspoken, whereas 10% of carob tree seeds meal in the diet resulted in influences on intestinal characteristics at the bacteriological and morphological level.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Diagnostic anaerobic bacteriology in Italy: state of the art. Italian Anaerobic Study Group.

A total of 220 microbiology departments in 205 general hospitals, 12 university hospitals, and 3 military hospitals were surveyed by questionnaire during the period March-May 1996 in order to evaluate the status of diagnostic anaerobic bacteriology in Italy. Responses were received from 47 laboratories (21.3%). The number of beds in the responding facilities varied widely (129-2,200), as did the number of specimens tested for anaerobic bacteriology (50-29,900). In most cases (94%), the microbiologist made the decision to culture and to proceed to further identification of isolates (mainly by commercial systems), depending on the adequacy of samples. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed in 52.5% of laboratories surveyed. Although it is difficult to draw relevant conclusions owing to the poor response rate, it seems that the condition of anaerobic bacteriology in Italy is far from satisfactory. Among major limitations are low interest in the field, lack of standardization of procedures, poor utilization of reference centers, and limited technological resources.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

Postmortem bacteriology and pneumonia in a mentally retarded population.

Postmortem pathologic and bacteriologic reports were analyzed for 237 deaths occurring at a large institution for the mentally retarded from 1958 to 1973. Bronchopneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, and lipid pneumonia were frequently reported at autopsy, and in a total of 146 cases (61.6%) at least one type of pneumonia was reported. Postmortem bacteriologic cultures in a smaller group revealed high recovery rates of staphylococci (coagulase-positive), hemolytic streptococci, and gram-negative bacilli in throat and lung cultures. Enteric aerobic gram-negative bacilli were particularly frequent along with yeast (Candida albicans). The institutionalized retarded appear similar to other hospitalized populations, in that a large proportion of hospital-acquired respiratory infections is related to aerobic gram-negative bacilli. The high frequency of aspiration and its sequelae in this population is unusual, however, and post-mortem bacteriologic findings appear consistent with those of antemortem studies of cases of aspiration pneumonia.

Adolescent↗

Association of rhinovirus infection with poor bacteriologic outcome of bacterial-viral otitis media.

Viruses--both alone and in combination with bacteria--have been shown to be a cause of acute otitis media (AOM). Moreover, the presence of virus in middle ear fluid (MEF) interferes with the bacteriologic response to antibiotic treatment in AOM. We studied various factors related to the eradication of bacteria from the MEF of infants and children who had AOM associated with a combination of bacteria and viruses. Of 622 cases of AOM diagnosed and treated between 1985 and 1991, 71 were due to such a combination. Bacteria were eradicated from MEF by 2-4 days of antibiotic treatment in 50 (70%) of these 71 cases; in the remaining 21 cases, the originally identified bacteria persisted or a new pathogenic bacterial species was detected after such treatment. These two groups of cases were compared with respect to the patients' age, sex, race, history of recurrent AOM, duration of respiratory symptoms, and compliance; the type of antibiotic treatment administered; the type of pathogenic bacteria and viruses identified in MEF; the presence of single or multiple pathogens; and the laterality of the disease. The only difference noted was in the type(s) of virus found in MEF. The presence of rhinovirus was associated with a higher rate of bacteriologic failure than was that of respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, influenza virus, or other viruses. Our data suggest that the bacteriologic response to antibiotic treatment in bacterial-viral AOM may depend in part on the type(s) of virus present in MEF.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Bacteriology of nontraumatic maxillary sinus mucoceles versus chronic sinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the bacteriology of maxillary sinus mucoceles to chronic sinusitis and understand the pathogenesis of nontraumatic maxillary sinus mucoceles (NTMSM). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: Review of intraoperative bacteriology culture results obtained in patients with NTMSM. Patients with history of facial trauma or previous paranasal sinus surgery were not included in the study. The results were compared to intraoperative cultures obtained from patients with chronic sinusitis (CS). RESULTS: The study groups consisted of 16 patients with NTMSM (9 male and 7 female patients) and 211 patients with CS (86 male and 125 female patients). Cultures in the NTMSM group were positive in 7 of 16 patients (44%) (four cultures had more than one isolate). There was no growth in cultures of 9 patients (56%). On the other hand, cultures in 176 patients with CS (83%) grew organisms (42 cultures had more than one isolate); there was no growth in 35 of 211 patients (17%) (P = .0007). The cultures grew aerobic bacteria in 7 of 16 (44%) and 160 of 211 (76%) patients of the NTMSM and CS groups, respectively. Anaerobic bacteria were detected in cultures of 2 of 16 patients (12.5%) with NTMSM compared with 13 of 211 patients (6.2%) in the CS group (P = .286). The most common pathogenic aerobe in the NTMSM group was alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus, while Staphylococcus aureus was the most common in the CS group. CONCLUSION: The bacteriology of maxillary sinus mucoceles is different from that of CS. The majority of patients with mucoceles have sterile intraoperative cultures. The data do not support infection as the main origin of NTMSM.

Adult↗

Bacteriologic and clinical efficacy of one day vs. three day intramuscular ceftriaxone for treatment of nonresponsive acute otitis media in children.

BACKGROUND: One dose of intramuscular ceftriaxone has been recently licensed in the United States for the treatment of acute otitis media. However, data regarding the bacteriologic and clinical efficacy of this regimen in the treatment of nonresponsive acute otitis media are incomplete. OBJECTIVES: To determine the bacteriologic and clinical efficacy of a 1-day 50-mg/kg vs. a 3-day 50-mg/kg/day intramuscular ceftriaxone regimen in the treatment of nonresponsive acute otitis media in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an open, prospective study 109 patients ages 3 to 36 months with culture-proved, nonresponsive acute otitis media were randomized to receive 1 (n = 49) or 3 (n = 60) 50-mg/kg/day intramuscular ceftriaxone doses, respectively. Middle ear fluid was aspirated for culture by tympanocentesis on the day of enrollment (Day 1); a second tympanocentesis with middle ear fluid culture was performed on Days 4 to 5. Additional middle ear fluid cultures were obtained if clinical relapse occurred after completion of therapy. Bacteriologic failure was defined by positive cultures on Days 4 to 5. Patients were followed until Day 28 after completion of therapy. Susceptibility of the middle ear pathogens was measured by E-test. RESULTS: Organisms recovered (n = 133) were Streptococcus pneumoniae (30 and 35 isolates for the 1-day and 3-day treatment group, respectively), Haemophilus influenzae (26 and 38, respectively) and Moraxella catarrhalis (n = 4). Of the 30 S. pneumoniae isolated from the 1-day group, 27 (90%) and 6 (20%) were nonsusceptible to penicillin and ceftriaxone, respectively; 9 of 27 (33%) were fully resistant to penicillin. Thirty-four (97%) and 6 (17%) of the 35 S. pneumoniae isolated from the 3-day group were nonsusceptible to penicillin and ceftriaxone, respectively; 16 of 34 (47%) were fully resistant to penicillin. Bacterial eradication of all H. influenzae and penicillin-susceptible S. pneumoniae was achieved in both treatment groups. Bacterial eradication of 14 of 27 (52%) and 33 of 34 (97%) penicillin-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae was achieved in the 1-day and 3-day group, respectively. Seven (50%) of the 14 patients from the 2 groups who did not achieve bacterial eradication did not improve clinically on Days 4 to 5 and required additional ceftriaxone treatment. CONCLUSION: The 3-day intramuscular ceftriaxone regimen was significantly superior to the 1-day intramuscular ceftriaxone regimen in the treatment of nonresponsive acute otitis media caused by penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae.

Acute Disease↗

A proposal for further integration of the cyanobacteria under the Bacteriological Code.

This taxonomic note reviews the present status of the nomenclature of the cyanobacteria under the Bacteriological Code. No more than 13 names of cyanobacterial species have been proposed so far in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (IJSEM)/International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology (IJSB), and of these only five are validly published. The cyanobacteria (Cyanophyta, blue-green algae) are also named under the Botanical Code, and the dual nomenclature system causes considerable confusion. This note calls for a more intense involvement of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP), its Judicial Commission and its Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Photosynthetic Prokaryotes in the nomenclature of the cyanobacteria under the Bacteriological Code. The establishment of minimal standards for the description of new species and genera should be encouraged in a way that will be acceptable to the botanical authorities as well. This should be followed by the publication of an 'Approved List of Names of Cyanobacteria' in IJSEM. The ultimate goal is to achieve a consensus nomenclature that is acceptable both to bacteriologists and to botanists, anticipating the future implementation of a universal 'Biocode' that would regulate the nomenclature of all organisms living on Earth.

Cyanobacteria↗

Clinical significance of bacteriologic screening in platelet concentrates.

BACKGROUND: Despite routine bacterial screening with a bacterial culturing system (BacT/ALERT, bioMerieux) of platelet (PLT) concentrates, two cases of life-threatening sepsis attributed to transfused PLT products contaminated with Bacillus cereus were reported to the regional hemovigilance office in the southwest region of the Netherlands. These reports necessitated a retrospective evaluation of the currently applied bacteriologic screening program. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Bacteriologic screening of all PLT concentrates on production was introduced in October 2001. Aliquots (5-10 mL) of pooled PLT concentrates in additive solution were taken for cultures with the BacT/ALERT system 14 to 24 hours after donation. The total culturing period was 7 days and in case of positive signals, identification cultures were taken from the culture bottles. The results of the bacterial screening, identification, and clinical significance of possibly contaminated pooled PLT concentrates were evaluated retrospectively over a 2-year period. RESULTS: In this period, a total of 28,104 pooled PLT concentrates were produced. Positive bacterial screening was found in 0.72 percent (n = 203). Of these, in 184 pooled PLT concentrates bacteria were cultured and identified, and in the remaining 19 (9.4%) identification cultures were negative. Before a positive screening was found, 113 PLT concentrates had already been transfused without the occurrence of clinical significant transfusion reactions. CONCLUSION: Bacterial contamination of pooled PLT concentrates was not related to clinically significant transfusion reactions. Despite negative screening for bacterial contamination, life-threatening transfusion-transmitted infections by contaminated PLT products can still occur. Other strategies should be applied to guarantee a higher degree of bacteriologic safety.

Bacillus cereus↗

Clinico-bacteriological study of pyodermas in children.

One hundred cases of pyodermas in children were investigated clinically and bacteriologically. Nasal and throat swabs from all cases were subjected to bacteriological examination. Most of the children (42%) were in the 1-4 year age group. The majority (58%) belonged to lower socio-economic groups with poor standards of hygiene. A history of over-crowding was obtained from 87% of cases, 82% were undernourished. Most of the children (68%) reported during the hot and humid months of June, July, August, and September. Primary pyodermas were observed in 72% of the children, and secondary pyodermas in 28%. Impetigo was the commonest primary pyoderma (48.61%); among secondary pyodermas, infected scabies was noted predominantly (42.86%). The face and legs were more commonly involved. Bacteriological cultures from pyoderma lesions revealed a single microorganism in the majority of the patients (84%). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in pure culture from 48% and pure beta-hemolytic streptococci from 36%. A combination of both was obtained from 16%. No other organism was isolated from any case. A similar pattern was also observed in cultures from the nose and throat. Only 46 out of the 64 strains (84.3%) of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from pyoderma were typable. The majority (39.1%) showed a mixed pattern of phages; the second commonest was the non-allocated phage type (30.4%). Nasal flora had more of the non-allocated phage type (50%); two out of the three strains (66.6%) isolated from the throat showed a mixed pattern. All the strains of beta hemolytic streptococci, isolated either from lesions of pyoderma, nose, or throat belonged to group A. Staphylococcus aureus and showed a high sensitivity to netilmycin (100%), ofloxacin (98.4%), amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (96.9%), ciprofloxacin (89.1%) and gentamycin (84.4%) but a high resistance to penicillin (85.9%). A greater correlation was noted between nasal flora and organisms causing pyodermas. A change in the pattern of organisms causing pyodermas in children and their antibiotic sensitivities in this part of the globe has been observed in this study. The role of endogenous nasal and throat flora in the causation of pyodermas has also been highlighted.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Bacteriological quality of organically grown leaf lettuce in Norway.

AIM: To investigate bacteriological quality in organically grown leaf lettuce, including the presence of selected pathogenic bacteria, and to obtain information about organic lettuce production, including fertilizing regimes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Altogether 179 samples of Norwegian organically grown lettuce were collected from 12 producers. Escherichia coli was isolated from 16 of the lettuce samples, but in 12 of these contamination was sufficiently low (<100 CFU g(-1)) that they would be considered to be of acceptable bacteriological quality. Escherichia coli O157 and Salmonella were not detected in any of the samples. Listeria monocytogenes serogroups 1 and 4 were isolated from two samples. CONCLUSIONS: Organic lettuce produced in Norway was generally of acceptable bacteriological quality, but the results show that contamination of organic lettuce with E. coli and L. monocytogenes do occasionally occur. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results suggest that organically grown lettuce may be contaminated with E. coli and L. monocytogenes during cultivation.

Colony Count, Microbial↗

Comparison of bacteriology and cytology of tracheal fluid samples collected by percutaneous transtracheal aspiration or via an endoscope using a plugged, guarded catheter.

Cytological and bacteriological results from tracheal fluid samples obtained endoscopically using a telescoping, plugged catheter (TPC) were compared with results from samples collected by percutaneous transtracheal aspiration (PTA). The TPC technique and PTA were performed in random order on 9 healthy Standardbred geldings. Three weeks later the procedures were performed on the same horses in the reverse order. The presence of oropharyngeal contamination was determined by quantitative bacteriology and quantification of squamous epithelial cells (SEC)/ml sample. The relative numbers of macrophages, haemosiderophages, giant cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils did not differ between techniques. The number of SEC/ml was greater in samples with more colony forming units/ml indicating that quantification of SEC provides evidence of the probable degree of oropharyngeal contamination. Fifteen out of the 18 TPC samples were free of contamination, indicating that the TPC can provide adequate samples for bacteriology. The results also indicate that tracheoscopy sometimes results in oropharyngeal contamination of the trachea, but that this does not affect the results of the TPC sample.

Animals↗

[Bacteriological study of oral open abscesses].

Although studies of bacteriology of closed oral abscesses have been extensively done, there are few studies on microorganisms involving open oral abscesses. We examined bacteriologically three open abscesses with precaution against bacterial contamination with oral normal flora and saliva, when sampling. The specimens were subjected to aerobic and anaerobic cultures within 2 hours after sampling. All three cases were infected with 5 to 14 species of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria; Streptococcus spp., Prevotella intermedia and other Prevotella spp. were predominant in all three cases. All six Prevotella spp. isolated were beta-lactamase producers, being resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. These results emphasize the importance of prompt anaerobic culture for the bacteriological study of open oral abscess and the significance of nitrocefin test to detect beta-lactamase produced by oral isolates, especially Prevotella spp.

Abscess↗