By the use of specific antibody to human chorionic gonadotropin (CG) as well as to its β‐subunit, and the application of the indirect fluorescein‐labeled and peroxidase‐labeled antibody techniques, we have demonstrated the presence of a membrane (wall)‐associated CG‐similar immunoreactive protein in 15 strains of bacteria isolated from tissues of patients bearing malignant neoplasms. These microorganisms were classified as S. epidermidis, (12), E. coli (2), and a single strain of P. maltophilia (ATCC 13637). The absence of the CG‐like antigen in other “cancer associated bacteria”, Streptococcus faecalis (ATCC 12818) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (from patient with cancer of colon), demonstrated that not every “cancer associated bacteria” has the capability to synthesize the trophoblastic‐like protein. The negative results obtained with a number of “noncancer control” bacteria of known origin, obtained from ATCC and from clinical samples, strongly supported the idea that the existence of these CG‐like protein producing microorganisms is not a ubiquitous finding. The demonstration of a de novo bacterial biosynthesis of a protein having similar antigenic and biophysical properties to those of the human trophoblastic hormone, has great biological implications, especially if its biosynthesis is proven only in bacterial strains growing in the presence of cancer cells in which we have already demonstrated the presence of a similar antigen. The explanation of the phenomenon is unknown. Because of their origin, the potential of “genetic exchange” with subsequent expression of the mammalian gene by the bacterial cells becomes a possibility. It is also possible that the gene coding for the CG‐like protein is normally present but inactive or repressed in all bacteria.

Enzymatic hydrolysates of various cottonseed flours were prepared with the proteolytic enzymes bromelain, HT-200, Pronase, and trypsin. The growth of various aerobic bacteria of clinical significance in these hydrolysates was compared to that obtained with a standard casein-soybean peptone culture medium, Trypticase soy. The generation times of the majority of bacteria grown in the bromelain cottonseed flour hydrolysate were shorter than that obtained with the standard control broth. A bromelain cottonseed flour hydrolysate agar preparation supported the growth of the bacteria comparably to that of the casein-soybean agar substrate. All the bacterial colonies were larger on the bromelain cottonseed flour hydrolysate blood agar medium than those grown on the control agar. The peptones derived from the enzymatic hydrolysis of

The Ba(OH)2 indicator system was demonstrated to be a practical procedure in assisting clinical bacteriologists in the accurate and rapid identification of the pathogenic Neisseria from clinical specimens. This system measured the release of CO2, resulting from the metabolism of fermentable carbohydrate, as the precipitated BaCO3, by means of a spectrophotometer, The method was uncomplicated and can be performed in most clinical bacteriology laboratories.

Culturally and morphologically, P. mutabilis manifest wide variation in regard to pigmentation and colonial and microscopic appearance(1) . A composite of all the cultural characteristics of this fungus manifested only when a variety of media was employed for cultivation. Colonies grown on Sabouraud ' s dextrose agar, malt extract and Wort agar generally contained a central pigmented mycelial mat and a yeast-like peripheral zone. The colonies were completely yeast-like on corn meal agar. Microscopic examination from slide cultures on different media revealed conidia, chlamydospores and rare phialides.This is the first ultrastructural analysis of P. mutabilis. Culture from Sabouraud's dextrose agar were examined first. The outer surface of the hyphal cell walls is electron dense with a fibrillar network.

The grouping of beta-hemolytic streptococcal isolates by a new direct-plate procedure employing Phadebact Streptococcus Test reagents was compared with the results obtained with the 4- and 24-h Phadebact grouping procedure and with the Lancefield grouping obtained with a capillary precipitin test. The new procedure employed a modification of the Phadebact procedure that permitted the grouping of streptococci on glass slides with a minimum of five primary isolated colonies. When only five to eight colonies were available for direct testing with each Phadebact reagent, coagglutination was better manifested when the colonies were disaggregated on a glass slide in a loopful of Tween 80 solution. Further enhancement of the coagglutination reaction was effected when the respective Phadebact reagents were employed in relatively small volumes. The direct-plate procedure permitted the correct identification of 127 out of 129 betahemolytic isolates. The 4-h method correctly identified 192 of the 200 streptococci tested. All of the 200 isolates tested by the 24-h procedure and the Lancefield grouping were correctly identified. The direct-plate Phadebact procedure affords the clinical microbiologist a rapid and reliable means of identifying groups A, B, C, and G beta-hemolytic streptococci. When sufficient numbers of primary colonies are not available for the direct procedure, the 4- or 24-h procedures may be employed.