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Throat swabs from 334 patients, submitted to the clinical laboratory of the Institute of Infectious Diseases (Siena University), for isolation of beta-hemolytic streptococci, were inoculated and incubated aerobically and anaerobically. Beta-hemolytic streptococci were identified in 117 (35%) cases, including 77 group A streptococci. Group A streptococci were recovered significantly more often with anaerobic incubation than with aerobic incubation (77 versus 53 cases: P less than 0.01). Non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococci also were recovered significantly more often with anaerobic incubation (40 versus 22; P less than 0.01). We conclude that anaerobic incubation for throat cultures is superior to incubation in normal air for detection of beta-hemolytic streptococci.

Biochemical features and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents of 190 strains of Staphylococcus isolated from pharinx and conjunctiva of ophtalmological patients and staff were studied. Each strain was investigated for: pigment, coagulase, hemolysis (alpha-toxin), phosphatase and penicillinase production and mannite fermentation. Twentyfour chemotherapeutic angents were used for sensitivity tests. The Authors emphasize that a positive coagulase test is the best laboratory evidence for pathogenicity of a given strain of Staphylococcus, and that the site of isolation of the examined strains is not related with their biochemical features and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents.

The research was conducted on 211 strains of Staphylococcus isolated in the three-year period 1972-1974- The coagulase, the hemolytic quality, mannite fermentation, pigment and penicillinase production were studied. The 211 strains of Staphylococcus were divided into 2 groups according to their origin: the 1st group included germs isolated from material which was certainly pathological, the 2nd group included strains isolated from various sources (throat, nasal, rectal, swabs, urine). The results, summarized in the Tables, led to the conclusion that even if the coagulase is the most significant characteristic in establishing pathogenicity of the Staphylococcus, the production of pigment and penicillinase also prove to be valid parameters of pathogenicity.