Search

Production of hyaluronidase by 147 strains of beta hemolytic streptococci was studied employing a sensitive dye-binding assay and levels of enzyme activity were evaluated statistically. The analysis of variance showed that group A strains isolated in Rio de Janeiro produced significantly smaller amounts of enzyme than group A strains from a Minneapolis (USA) collection or than groups B and G brazilian isolates. The t test revealed that M not typable nose/throat group A strains produced more hyaluronidase than skin isolates. The analysis of variance did not show a significant difference in the enzyme production between M typable and not typable brazilian strains of group A streptococci. High enzyme--producing strains were not restricted to a few serotypes of group B streptococci.

A case of obstructive jaundice due to granulomatous blastomycosis is presented. The patient had complained of abdominal pain in the right hypochondrium and jaundice. During hospitalization, the laboratory tests showed evidence of obstructive jaundice and complementary tests a distended gallbladder, dilatation of the intra and extrahepatic bile ducts with enlarged lymph nodes of the hepatic hilus. During the operation a cholestatic liver, distended gallbladder and enlarged lymph nodes around the common bile duct were found. Histopathology of the lymph nodes revealed South American blastomycosis. The medical management consisted of amphotericin B. At present the patient is alive and well.