The occurrence of Candida in hospital patients and normal subjects.

The distribution of different Candida species and different serogroups of C. albicans have been analysed. C. albicans is by far the most predominant species isolated from all clinical specimens. Group A of C. albicans was isolated 10 times more frequently than group B strains from patients who had respiratory infection and 4.4 times more frequently from those who had other clinical conditions. However, both serogroups were isolated at comparable frequencies from the genitals. In the instances where repeated isolation were made, colonization by one serogroup often occurs to the exclusion of the other serogroup and species. Thus, it was frequently observed that individual patients often gave repeated isolation of one serogroup of C. albicans only. These findings are of obvious diagnostic relevance and may facilitate the evaluation of possible clinical significance of laboratory studies.

A coxsackievirus type A24 epidemic of acute conjunctivitis.

The 1975 epidemic of acute conjunctivitis was caused by the return of S.E.C. 1970 virus (CA24). The clinical manifestations of cases seen in the recent epidemic were similar to those seen during the 1970 epidemic caused by S.E.C. 1970 virus (CA24) and the 1971 epidemic caused by S.E.C. 1971 virus (entero-virus type 70). In our opinion, both the S.E.C. 1970 VIRUS (CA24) and S.E.C. 1971 virus (enterovirus type 70) are equally important causes of epidemics of acute conjunctivitis more commonly known as the "Acute Haemorrhagic Conjunctivitis". Although these two enteroviruses affect mainly the eye, apart from conjunctival secretions, they could be transmitted in respiratory droplets and faeces. The authors would prefer to retain the term "Picornavirus Epidemic Conjunctivitis" to denote infection by S.E.C. 1970 virus (CA24) and S.E.C. 1971 virus (enterovirus type 70).