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Phagocyte released reactive oxygen species are often discussed in connection with ischemic and reperfusion injuries to the myocardium. The kinetics of the accumulation and oxidative burst of human blood phagocytes was studied by chemiluminescence during open heart surgery in the myocardium of human patients. Direct evidence is presented for an accumulation of neutrophils along with their markedly increased metabolic activity (oxygen radical formation), especially following the reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium. Leukocyte numbers and activity remained significantly elevated even in the venous blood obtained 24 h after the operation.

Fifty-six phages designated the U-series and 34 phages designated the Ph-series were carefully examined. The spectrum of activity was established for 183 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis from different countries and for 258 strains of Staphylococcus aureus. All 90 phages were active against strains of both species, but some differences in sensitivity were noted. Sixteen of the 90 phages were selected for phage typing of S. epidermidis. With use of a routine test dilution of phage (the highest dilution that yields confluent lysis of the propagation strain), 71.6% of 183 coagulase-negative staphylococci tested were sensitive to the phages; 42 phage patterns were observed. The results indicate that phage typing of S. epidermidis can be recommended for epidemiological and ecological purposes.

The authors have modified the one-plate method for the detection of staphylococcal hemolysins. They recommend to use in this method a prepurified form of staphylococcal beta-toxin and of streptococcal CAMP-factor instead of the exclusively beta-tonin-producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus and instead of the intensively CAMP-test positive Streptococcus agalactiae strain, respectively. The authors determined concurrently staphylococcal hemolysins, using a three-plate method in which alpha-antitoxin was employed, to ensure a better evidence of alpha-toxin. A total of 494 staphylococcal strains were examined by both methods. Of this number, 446 Staphylococcus aureus strains were of diverse host origin and 48 were coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains. On the basis of the various hemolytically active staphylococcal toxins, the authors recommend the suggested modification of the one-plate method for their routine detection.

Acute pseudomonas infections require treatment with antibiotics producing a bactericidal effect. The most useful are gentamicin, tobramycin, sisomicin and polymyxin B. In resistant strains, amikacin is indicated in addition. Carbenicillin, ticarcillin, carfenicillin or azocillin should never be given alone but in combination with some of the above preparations. Other drugs, such as chloramphenicol, tetracycline or streptomycin, though effective in vitro, should be avoided. Chemotherapy may be complemented by passive immunization either with hyperimmune specific gama globulin or hyperimmune plasma. A programmatic item of combined treatment is active immunization, especially with toxoid vaccine. Chronic processes are not, perhaps with the exception of urinary infections, suitable for antibiotic therapy. For this reason effective polyvalent vaccines should be developed from appropriate strains. It is now certain that in infections caused by mucous strains (most frequently encountered in cystic fibrosis) the vaccine should be prepared from these strains, since they have distinct functional and antigenic characteristics.

Our phage-set, published in 1975 (6) was modified in that other staphylococcal hoststrains were found more suitable for the propagation. This new typing set of 15 phages should replace our old phage-sets. In comparing the phage-sets of Dr. Verhoef, Dr. Parisi and Dr. Blouse with our phages, the advantages of our new phage-set could be demonstrated. Lysogeny induction experiment with mitomycin C and UV-rays showed all staphylococcal host strains to be lysogenic. Conclusions of the studies performed were derived from and discussed.