Studies on Microorganisms in Simulated Room Environments

Abstract

A strain of [beta] hemolytic streptococcus was exposed to the environment of an exptl. room for time periods ranging from 8 hrs. to about 10 days. Tested on mice by a refined technique, the majority of the cells were found to be unaltered in virulence. The possible public health implications of this finding are discussed. A few of the cells apparently underwent a slight diminution in mouse virulence. This change occurred in a peculiar time distribution. The lowered virulence of these cells was apparently paralleled by a diminution in their antigenic activity in rabbits. However, after several months the modified cultures tended to return to maximal virulence.