Rapid detection of bacteremia caused by Enterobacteriaceae with subculture in broth and laser nephelometry.

The early detection of Gram-negative rod bacteremia favors the prompt institution of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. During a 6-week period, blood cultures were subcultured in broth during the first 18 h of incubation. The turbidity of these subcultures was studied by laser nephelometry. Fifty-five percent of the blood cultures positive for Enterobacteriaceae were reported on the same day the sample was taken from the patient; this constitutes a marked acceleration in comparison with the results obtained by a conventional method. The identification and results of the antimicrobial susceptibility tests were available 2 days after the specimen was taken. Early subculture in broth combined with laser nephelometry studies of broth turbidity is readily applied to the study of bacteremia due to Enterobacteriaceae and may favorably influence the outcome of such disease by providing specific results more rapidly.

Congenital vesicular eruption caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b.

We report a case of perinatal infection that we believe is the first documented report of a congenital vesicular eruption due to Haemophilus influenzae type b and the second report of puerperal sepsis with this organism. A vesicular eruption was noted at birth on an infant delivered at 37 weeks following 34 hours' premature rupture of membranes. Gram-negative rods were seen on Gram stain of vesicular fluid, and H. influenzae type b grew on cultures of vesicular fluid. The mother sustained postpartum septicemia with the same organism. Amnionitis and funistis were demonstrated histologically. Results of all viral studies were negative. Infant and mother did well with antibiotic therapy.

Yeast colonization in hospitalized and nonhospitalized children.

Data have been accumulated to determine the prevalence of yeast colonization of the skin and digestive tract of hospitalized and nonhospitalized infants and children. There was no difference in the prevalence between hospitalized patients at the time of admission and nonhospitalized children. However, there was a positive correlation of the duration of hospitalization and the prevalence of yeast colonization. There were no correlations of hospitalization with site of colonization, age of the patient, or type of yeast isolated.

Immunization today--a review.

Immunization practices are frequently changing as our understanding of the basic concepts of host-parasite interactions grows and research in the area of new vaccines continues. The present review attempts to summarize current practices and the scientific data on which they are based. A complete historical review of the subject is beyond the scope of this report which is only intended to survey developments in the field over the past few years and up until October 1972.

Treatment of Streptococcal Pharyngitis. II. In vitro studies of antibacterial activity.

One hundred and forty isolates of beta-hemolytic streptococcus cultured from patients with clinical pharyngitis were studied by disc diffusion for antibiotic sensitivity to lincomycin, erythromycin, cephalexin and penicillin and by agar dilution to cephalexin and penicillin. All isolates were sensitive to

Treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. I. Clinical evaluation.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the therapy of streptococcal pharyngitis. The compliance of 118 patients with beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis to follow-up was 72%. Of 74 patients checked by means of urine tests 66 took their oral medication. No differences were detected in the clinical and bacteriological results (>98% streptococcal eradication) after the 7th or 10th day of therapy after taking either cephalexin or penicillin.IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT: (a) for effective surveillance and follow-up special attention should be given to the uncooperative segment of the patient population; (b) a seven-day course of penicillin may be satisfactory in the eradication of BHS from the throat; and (c) cephalexin appears to be an effective alternative to penicillin for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis.