THE SEROLOGICAL TYPING OF HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI OF THE LANCEFIELD GROUP A

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Abstract
The literature dealing with the serological typing of hemolytic streptococci of the Lancefield group A by the Griffith technique is reviewed. Modifications of the typing procedure are presented which increase its reliability. The use of rabbit serums diluted to 75% of the titer and the prep. of agglutinating suspensions by growth of the organisms at room temp. in a revolving box are the most important of these. Data obtained by the application of these methods to strains of hemolytic streptococci isolated from 260 individuals are presented. 112 of these were healthy carriers. These observations indicate that: (a) Hemolytic streptococci of a small number of types are responsible for nearly all of the infections in any season. (b) The same types do not predominate in every season. (c) The types predominating in respiratory infections are also most commonly isolated from surgical infections and from carriers. (d) The most frequently isolated types were 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 23, and 25.

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