THE DIFFERENTIATION OF PATHOGENIC STAPHYLOCOCCI FROM NON-PATHOGENIC TYPES

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Abstract
Feebly pathogenic dissociants were found in many cultures of pathogenic staphylococci. When present in considerable number they may affect the reactions of the whole culture. Separation of the dissociants is desirable before applying in vitro tests. The dissociant with the most pathogenic properties (major pathogenic variant) probably represents the parent pathogenic culture. The degenerative process can be traced by the following in vitro tests, recorded in the order of their stability (1) lactose fermentation; (2) mannitol fermentation, growth on bromthymol blue agar, and color on crystal violet agar; (3) coagulase; (4) pigment ; and (5) hemolysis. The latter, being the most labile, is most useful in detecting degeneration. Possible sources of error were analyzed. Provided tests are applied to a major pathogenic variant a positive coagulase test indicates patho-genicity of the culture. Plate hemolysis, in conjunction with pigment, indicates the degree of pathogenicity of the culture. There was a correlation between the in vitro tests, rabbit inoculation tests, and source of the culture.

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