Abstract
The normal bacteriologic flora of the pharynx of chimpanzees has been described by Dochez, Shibley and Mills 1 in connection with their experiments on the transmission of the common cold. The bacteria occurring in the throats of apes were similar, for the most part, to those found in human throats, although the percentile incidence varied for some organisms. Apparently, no such complete study of the pharyngeal flora of lower primates has been reported. The few reports of throat-cultures in the monkey are primarily concerned with the presence of C. diphtheriœ in the nasopharynx. Dold and Weigmann, 2 and Ramon and Erber 3 found diphtheria-like organisms in some monkeys, but Jungeblut 4 in 50 normal rhesus monkeys found no C. diphtheriœ. Dold and Weigmann reported the presence of staphylococci and streptococci but did not specify the reaction of these organisms in blood-media.
During studies of experimentally induced hemolytic streptococcal infection of rhesus monkeys, a survey of the incidence of hemolytic streptococci in the normal throats of 49 animals∗ was undertaken. The cultures were taken during the 2nd week of January, 1936, and within 9 days of receiving the animals in the laboratory from the dealer. A swab was rubbed firmly over the faucial surface, streaked on sheep-blood agar, and after 24 hours incubation, the plates were searched for hemolytic colonies.
From 28 of the 49 cultures a β-streptococcus 5 was isolated. On one plate a minute streptococcus of the type described by Bliss and Long 6 was also isolated. These organisms were tested for production of a soluble hemolysin, lysis of human and rhesus plasma-clot (Tillett and Garner 7 ) and fermentation of lactose, mannite, and salicin. The antigenic group to which the organisms belonged was determined by the method of Lancefield. 8 Six of the strains were tested for the production of a toxin reactive in the skin of silver-fox rabbits.
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