Organisms of the Tribe Mimeae

Abstract

Records of 318 patients who had positive cultures for organisms of the tribe Mimeae were reviewed. Age distribution ranged from 12 hr. to 90 years with 2 broad peaks occurring between 2 weeks to 5 years and 45 to 75 years. Sex proved to be of no significance. There were 291 Negroes and 27 Caucasians, a reflection of the predominance of Negro admissions to the City of Memphis Hospitals. Isolations of Mimeae were made throughout the year, though seasonal peaks occurred in the months of March, April, July and Oct. Sources of isolation varied-in order of predominance they were as follows: urine, throat, naso-pharynx, blood, sputum, skin, ear, bronchial washings, umbilical cord, eye, kidney abscesses, burns, vagina, synovial fluid, uterus, cerebro-spinal fluid and urethra. The appearance of these organisms in the blood is of grave clinical significance. Mimeae septicemia led to death in 7 of the 9 patients who received antibiotics not effective against these organisms. A Waterhouse-Friderichsen-like syndrome occurred in one of these cases. These organisms were definitely pathogenic in cases of synovitis, meningitis and otitis media. No significance could be attributed to the isolation of the organisms from the nasopharynx, throat, sputum or skin,,.