1. Minute beta hemolytic streptococci were found to occur from one-third to one-half as frequently in normal individuals as do ordinary beta hemolytic streptococci. 2. They were rarely isolated from the rhinopharynges of individuals suffering from chronic disease. 3. In acute respiratory tract infection other than that due to the ordinary beta hemolytic streptococcus the incidence of minute str...

There are few reports in the literature (1--4) on the pyrogenicity of streptococci or streptococcal filtrates. The most recent detailed investigations on streptococcal pyrogenic activity were reported by Stetson (5) and Watson (6). Stetson reported on the endotoxic activity of Group A streptococci grown in vitro. On the basis of studies with lysates of streptococci disrupted in a Mickle disinte...

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a new dental drug delivery system (3DS) for the selective reduction of mutans streptococci, a potent risk factor for dental caries. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients were assigned to two groups, professional mechanical tooth cleaning (PMTC) with or without 3DS. The efficiency of 3DS with 0.2% chlorhexidine (C...

The taxonomy of streptococci has undergone major changes during the last two decades. The present classification is based on both phenotypic and genotypic data. Phylogenetic classification of streptococci is based on 16S rRNA sequences [1], and it forms the backbone of the overall classification system of streptococci. Phenotypic properties are also important, especially for clinical microbiolo...

The possibility that fibronectin on the surface of oropharyngeal cells may serve as a receptor for the binding of group A streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) was investigated. Purified human plasma fibronectin inhibited the adherence of group A streptococci to oral epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The relative amounts of fibronectin available on oral epithelial cells correlated cl...

Historically, resistance to phagocytosis has been determined by incubating group A streptococci in human blood and comparing the numbers of CFU before and after incubation. Utilizing a flow cytometry-based technique, we have investigated the phagocytosis of M(+) group A streptococci by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in heparinized human peripheral whole blood. Intracellular labeling of str...

The interaction between staphylococci and Group A beta hemolytic streptococci in mixed lesions was investigated in an experimental impetigo model. A strain of staphylococcus of phage Type 71, which has been shown in vitro to produce a bacteriocin for streptococci and other Gram-positive organisms, eliminates or reduces Group A streptococci in mixed lesions. In contrast, staphylococcal strains o...

The synergistic hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes in the CAMP reaction by the sequential action of staphylococcal beta-lysin and the CAMP factor of group B streptococci is the only known function of this extracellular product of group B streptococci. The reaction forms the basis of the CAMP test used to identify group B streptococci because the CAMP factor is believed to be restricted to this gro...

One hundred pregnant women in third trimester were screened for the carriage of group B streptococci (GBS) in a prospective study. Rectal and urogenital samples were collected, 25% women were positive for non group B beta haemolytic streptococci. Twelve (48%) were positive at single site and 13 (52%) at more than one site. Beta haemolytic streptococci isolated were non-groupables in 19 (76%) an...