The Classification of Anaerobic Cocci and their Isolation in Normal Human Beings and Pathological Processes

In a previous paper (Hare, Wildy, Billett, and Twort, 1952) a scheme employing fermentation of carbohydrates and organic acids was put forward for the classification into six groups of the anaerobic cocci derived from human beings.There is at present extremely little information as to the occurrence of anaerobic cocci on the mucous and skin surfaces of normal human beings.This, together with a study of strains from a number of infective processes, forms the subject of this paper.Material and Methods Source of Strains.-Thefollowing were chosen.Nose.-Woollen swabs on straight applicators were employed to obtain samples from the anterior nares of 54 normal persons, medical students and technicians, during the first three months of 1953.Throat.-Swabs from the tonsillar region of 15 normals were examined during the first six months of 1953.Tonsils.-Single tonsils from 80 persons, mostly children, were washed with sterile saline immediately after excision.They were seared on the lateral surface, incised from this aspect with a sterile knife, and samples obtained with a platinum loop.Faeces.-Stools were obtained from 50 in- patients, mostly young adults, suffering from some condition in which the alimentary tract was not considered to be involved.Vagina.-High vaginal swabs were taken during the first three months of pregnancy from two series of patients, the first of 48 persons during the summer of 1948, and the second of 45 persons during the summer of 1953.Skin.-Swabs moistened with sterile broth were used to take samples from the dorsum of the right wrist of nine persons.Gums.-A platinum loop was used to take samples from the gum margin in the region of a lower canine tooth from nine persons with apparently healthy gums.External Auditory Meatus.-Dryswabs on straight applicators were used to investigate nine persons.Strains from Infections.-Three groups of infections were chosen.Puerperal Pyrexia.-Eightstrains from cases in this hospital, 48 isolated by Dr. R. M. Calman, two by Dr. L. R. Janes, one by Dr. A. Beck, and one by Dr. A. Cunliffe were examined.No patient was severely infected.Infections of the Respiratory Tract.-Strains from 16 cases of chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, lobar pneumonia, asthma, pulmonary collapse and empyema, from four abscesses of the lung removed by lobectomy, and from 14 specimens of fluid obtained during bronchoscopy in suspected cases of carcinoma of the lung were sent us by Dr. Weatherley Mien and Mr. N. R. Barrett.Other Infections.-Strains from cases with an infected frontal sinus, gangrenous appendix, appendix abscess, sinus following appendicitis, brain abscess, operation wound, infection of the foot, and two from the blood in bacteraemia were sent us by Dr.