BACTERIOPHAGY IN URINARY INFECTION PART I. THE INCIDENCE OF BACTERIOPHAGE AND OF BACILLUS COLI SUSCEPTIBLE TO DISSOLUTION BY THE BACTERIOPHAGE IN URINES. PRESENTATION OF CASES OF RENAL INFECTION IN WHICH BACTERIOPHAGE WAS USED THERAPEUTICALLY

Abstract

Urines from patients suffering with Bacillus coli infection of the urinary tract were examined for bacteriophage, and for the type of colon bacillus with respect to the bacteriophage, that is, whether susceptible, resistant or lysogenic. Bacteriophage was found in 25% of the urines studied. Susceptible colon bacilli were found in a like percentage although not in the same urines; 36% of the individuals had urines containing bacteriophage and 40% were infected with a susceptible organism. The cases of chronic infection invariably yielded urines free of bacteriophage and were caused by resistant bacteria. The acute cases almost without exception were due to susceptible bacilli and the urines were lytic. Four cases treated with the bacteriophage lytic for the organism causing the infection showed definite improvement after the treatment.