IMPETIGO CONTAGIOSA IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

A total of 72 patients with impetigo have been examined at the outpatients' department of St John's Hospital. Staphylococcus aureus was present in 87% of lesions; 60% belonged to the phage type 71 strain. Fifteen lesions yielded β-haemolytic streptococci, mainly in association with Staph. aureus. No known nephritogenic strains were isolated and most of the streptococci were of established ‘impetigo’ type. Twenty-five of 54 patients from whom serum was obtained showed serological evidence of recent streptococcal infection. These results are discussed in relation to past experience in the U.K. and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]