Observations on the Bacteriology of Paratyphoid Fever and on the Reactions of Typhoid and Paratyphoid Sera

Abstract

1. Three fully-established, and two probable, cases of infection with B. paratyphosus B producing a typhoid-like illness have been found in a series of 176 cases of typhoid.2. Preliminary culture in a fluid medium containing dulcite is of great assistance in isolating paratyphoid organisms from mixtures such as faeces.3. The diagnosis of paratyphoid fever can generally be made from the agglutinative reactions of the serum.4. Absorption tests are necessary for the positive or negative diagnosis of mixed infections.5. The structure of the agglutinated masses of paratyphoid and Gaertner bacilli varies with homologous and heterologus sera, and is of diagnostic import.6. Gaertner and paratyphoid agglutinins are more thermostabile than typhoid agglutinin by 5°–10° C.7. The agglutinations of paratyphoid, hog-cholera and Gaertner bacilli with a series of typhiod sera are described, and the circumstances which influence the presence and amount of these secondary agglutinins discussed.