Bionomics of the Staphylococcus in the Nasal Carrier

摘要

Substances that inhibit the growth of colonies of bacteria were demonstrated. These diffuse through an agar impregnated bacterial filter. Gram-negative bacteria are most inhibitory to other bacteria, but show little interaction with other species of gramnegative bacteria. Strains of Staphylococcus aureus show little inhibition against other species, but exhibit mutual inhibition against other strains of staphylococci. Ninety-four per cent of 32 medical students carried Mycoplasma species. Forty-one per cent carried gramnegative flora in their nostrils; 31 per cent in their throats. Initially 50 per cent and 34 per cent were persistant nasal and throat carriers respectively of S. aureus. After exposure to the hospital environment, these figures shifted to 65 and 63 per cent - a 22 per cent increase in rate of carriage. Statistical analysis of the data indicate possible in vivo evidence for the antibacterial interaction of organisms. The importance of gram-negative infection as a cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with life endangering illness was demonstrated.