The Frog Test for Staphylococcal Enterotoxin

Abstract

Staphylococcal enterotoxin culture supernates were administered by mouth to Rana pipiens (or R. clamitans) which were observed for a "spasm" previously reported in the literature as the typical response to the toxin. Unconcentrated culture supernates showed little correlation in enterotoxic activities in comparative tests in frogs and kittens. When concentrated culture and control supernates were fed to frogs, not only some of those receiving concentrated culture supernate but also frogs receiving concentrated control supernate exhibited typical spasms. Half of a further series of frogs fed concentrated control supernate or media of comparable viscosity exhibited spasms. Tests made by administering the same materials via esophagus to decerebrate frogs and observing the stomachs for reverse peristalsis likewise showed no correlation between enterotoxicity and the result observed. It was concluded that the spasm reaction was a non-specific response undetermined as to nature or cause.