Bacterial Interference in the Therapy of Recurrent Staphylococcal Infections

BACTERIAL interference has been successful in curtailing epidemics of staphylococcal disease in the nursery.1 2 3 4 Implantation of a relatively nonpathogenic strain of Staphylococcus aureus on the nasal mucosa and umbilical stumps of newborn infants has prevented colonization with epidemic staphylococcal strains, thus interrupting their transmission from infant to infant. A strain of Staph. aureus designated 502A has been employed in these studies. Persistent nasal carriage of pathogenic staphylococci in adults has also been interrupted by implantation of 502A on the nasal mucosa after antibiotic suppression of the resident flora.5 , 6 To date no cases of serious staphylococcal disease due to this micro-organism . . .