THE AETIOLOGY OF IMPETIGO CONTAGIOSA

Abstract

The study egtailed bacteriological investigation of 131 cases of impetigo contagiosa, including the isolation and identification of the offending organisms. The data showed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in pure culture in 40.5% of the cases, and in mixed growth with betahaemolytic streptococci and other organisms in 47% of the cases. Streptococci came next in frequency and were isolated in pure culture from 9.1% of cases, and in combination with other organisms in 36.7% of the cases. A haemolytic diphtheroid having the characteristics of Corynebacterium pyogenes was isolated in pure culture from one case and in mixed growth in 5.3% of the cases.