Toxin-Producing Strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis (albus)

Cell-free filtrates of cultures ofStaphylococcus epidermidiswere prepared from patients with definite clinical signs and symptoms of staphylococcic blepharoconjunctivitis. The subconjuctival injection of rabbit eyes with these filtrates was performed, and the results were compared with those produced in another group of rabbits similarly injected with filtrates ofS aureusstrains. Although less severe than the disease produced by theS aureusfiltrates, a significant and sometimes severe toxicogenic conjunctivitis was produced by theS epidermidisfiltrates.