SUMMARYStrains of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from bovine udders were differentiated by comparing biochemical tests, serological typing of proteolytic enzymes, colonial morphology, and the spectrophotometric analysis of pigments extracted with methanol. The cultures were divided into proteinasepositive and proteinase-negative groups, based on their proteolytic activity on skim milk agar, staphylococcus medium no. 110 (Difco), and gelatin. Most of the proteinase-negative cultures produced acetoin, whereas the opposite was true for the proteinase-positive cultures. A further subdivision of the cultures in each group was made by using Baird-Parker's (1963) biochemical subgrouping scheme. The proteinase-positive cultures were also subdivided by serological typing of their proteolytic enzymes into five groups, B, F, G, H, and NR, a non-reacting group. Approximately three-quarters of the cultures in the first four proteinase groups could be placed in one of Baird-Parker's biochemical subgroups. The cultures in the NR group, however, were sufficiently distinctive in their biochemical reactions to be considered as a separate biochemical subgroup. The colonies formed by the cultures were classified into five types, each consisting of two to four forms. No absolute relationship was found between the spectral absorption curves of the pigments and proteinase groups, although there were differences in the types of absorption curves that predominated in each proteinase group. Nine cultures which produced coagulase were more closely related to S. epidermidis than to S. aureus in that they did not utilize mannitol anaerobically or produce a-or ,!?-type haemolysis, they were non-pigmented and were less active biochemically. Also, serological typing of the proteolytic enzymes of three of these cultures resulted in one being classified as group G and two as group H. Group H contained only these two cultures. In contrast 27 cultures of S. aureus were classified as group A. Except for coagulase production, the biochemical reactions and the serological grouping of the proteolytic enzymes suggested a classification of S. epidermidis for the nine cultures.

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Summary From 1979 to 1981 about 200,000 cattle in Norway were vaccinated with a live vaccine against ringworm caused by Trichophyton verrucosum. The vaccination was carried out both in herds where ringworm was already a problem and in ringworm‐free herds. The results show that the prophylactic effect of the vaccine is very good and with full vaccination throughout a district it seems possible to control ringworm in cattle. According to experience in Norway, therapeutic use of the vaccine against ringworm is not recommended. The side‐effects of the vaccine are minimal and do not seem to exceed those experienced in other vaccinatons. Zusammenfassung Schutzimpfung von norwegischen Rindern gegen Trichophytie Von 1979 bis 1981 wurden in Norwegen etwa 200 000 Rinder mit einem Lebendimpfstoff gegen Trichophytie, hervorgerufen durch Trichophyton verrucosum, geimpft. Die Schutzimpfung wurde ausgeführt, sowohl in Herden, wo die Trichophytie bereits ein Problem ist, als auch in trichophytie‐freien Herden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die prophylaktische Wirksamkeit des Impfstoffes sehr gut ist, und mit einer vollständigen Impfung eines ganzen Bezirkes scheint es möglich zu sein die Trichophytie unter Kontrolle zu bringen. Gemäß den Erfahrungen in Norwegen, wird die therapeutische Verwendung des Impfstoffes gegen Trichophytie nicht empfohlen. Die Nebenwirkungen des Impfstoffes sind minimal und scheinen jene, die bei anderen Impfungen beobachtet wurden nicht zu übersteigen. Résumé Vaccination de bovins norvégiens contre la trichophytie Environ 200 000 bovins ont été vaccinés de 1979 à 1981 en Norvège au moyen d'un vaccin vivant contre la trichophytie à partir de Trichophyton verrucosum. La vaccination a été faite aussi bien dans des exploitations où la trichophytie était un problème que dans des élevages indemnes. Les résultats ont montré que l'effet prophylactique du vaccin est très bon et qu'il semble possible de contrôler la maladie avec la vaccination complète dans une région. L'emploi thérapeutique du vaccin contre la trichophytie n'est pas recommandé sur la base des expériences faites en Norvège. Les effets secondaires du vaccin sont minimales et ne semblent pas dépasser ceux observés avec d'autres vaccins. Resumen La vacunación profiláctica de vacunos noruegos contra la tricofitia Desde 1979 hasta 1981 se vacunaron en Noruega una 200.000 reses vacunas con una vacuna viva contra la tricofitia, originada por Trichophyton verrucosum. La vacunación protectora fué llevada a cabo tanto en tropas, en las cuales la tricofitia ya era un problema, como en cabañas libres de tricofitia. Los resultados muestran que la eficacia profiláctica de la vacuna es muy buena, y con una vacunación íntegra de toda una demarcación parece que resulta posible mantener la tricofitia bajo control. Con arreglo a las experiencias adquiridas en Noruega, no se recomienda la utilización terapéutica de la vacuna contra la tricofitia. Las acciones secundarias de la vacuna son mínimas y no parecen exceder a las observadas en otras vacunaciones.

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SANDVIK, OLAV (National Animal Disease Laboratory, Ames, Iowa), AND RICHARD W. BROWN. Spectrophotometric characterization of pigments produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated from bovine udders. J. Bacteriol. 89:1201-1208. 1965.-Spectrophotometric analysis of methanol-extracted pigments of 70 isolates, representing 48 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, exhibited absorption curves that were classified into seven types, designated I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and a S. aureus type. Two subtypes were included in types I and III. All nonpigmented cell extracts were classified as type I. One of the six numbered type absorption curves was obtained with the majority of isolates. Three isolates gave an absorption curve that was similar to the curve produced by extracts of five of seven S. aureus strains, thus the designation S. aureus type. The differences in pigment complexes indicated by the various absorption curves of methanol extracts were substantiated by column-chromatography studies. Generally, pigments of types II to VI, as produced by representative strains, were of a xanthophyllic nature, whereas, the S. aureus type pigment studied was carotenelike. Analyses of representative strains showed that the type of spectral absorption curves did not change whether the organisms were carried in vitro and tested through 3 months, or isolated repeatedly from infected udders for periods up to 8 months. The method of determining the spectral absorption curves of whole-cell methanol extracts provides an additional tool for differentiating strains of S. epidermidis that can be used in enzootiological studies of udder infections.