Toxin-Producing Strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis (albus)

Abstract

Cell-free filtrates of cultures of<i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i>were prepared from patients with definite clinical signs and symptoms of staphylococcic blepharoconjunctivitis. The subconjuctival injection of rabbit eyes with these filtrates was performed, and the results were compared with those produced in another group of rabbits similarly injected with filtrates of<i>S aureus</i>strains. Although less severe than the disease produced by the<i>S aureus</i>filtrates, a significant and sometimes severe toxicogenic conjunctivitis was produced by the<i>S epidermidis</i>filtrates.