THE INCIDENCE AND BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HEMOLYTIC BACILLUS COLI IN THE STOOLS OF HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

In 73 first or single cultures, the incidence of hemolytic B. coli was 56.2%; in 25 cases where 2 or more specimens from the same individual were studied, 88%; and in 12 instances where 4 or more cultures were examined, it was 100%. Hemolytic B. coli is a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract of healthy individuals. Hemolytic strains from stool specimens were only slightly more virulent for white mice than were the non-hemolytic. The forms recovered appear to be heterologous strains having agglutinin more or less in common.