Effect of Temperature and Humidity on Nasal Flora of Mice

Abstract

The amount of humidity in the air affected the character of the flora of the nasal tract of mice. The total number of bacteria in mice kept under low humidity for 3 weeks never exceeded the minimum number under high humidity. The total count and the percentage of gram-positive organisms were much lower in mice under low humidity than in control mice. These effects were not produced by high humidity or high temperature. Apparently low humidity inhibited gram-positive organisms. No antibacterial action was demonstrable in vitro in nasal washings of mice kept at low humidity.