The introduction of interhemispheric indices improve interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility by approximately 50%. We recommend use of the index in clinical settings in which unilateral velocity changes are expected. For measurement of an interhemispheric index, a recording time of 30 seconds is recommended, whereas 5-second measurement periods yield a sufficient estimate of absolute velocities.

The main part of strains of Streptococcus mutans isolated from the present Danish material of blood from patients with subacute endocarditis and from human teeth belonged to two of five serotypes established by Bratthall, viz. type c and type e. Two new types were established: type f and type g. Strain SL‐1 seems to constitute a distinct type. Strains of serotypes a and b have not been isolated in Denmark, and strains of serotypes d, g and SL have been isolated from teeth only. The registered differences in biochemical behaviour warrant a proposal of a subdivision into three biotypes.

Thirty-two patients with severe pneumonia (22 on assisted ventilation) were entered into a prospective randomised trial, in which fosfomycin plus ampicillin (17 patients) was compared with gentamicin plus ampicillin (15 patients). Treatment was either 4 g fosfomycin or 80 mg gentamicin every 8 h and 1 g ampicillin every 6 h. Complete or partial clinical success was attained in 94% (16/17) in the fosfomycin group and in 80% (12/15) in the gentamicin group. Bacteriological success was 87.5% with fosfomycin-ampicillin and 90% with gentamicin-ampicillin. An intermediary sensitive Klebsiella pneumoniae strain developed complete resistance in the fosfomycin group, and an in vitro sensitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain was resistant in vivo in the gentamicin group. Two of three patients in the fosfomycin group receiving the infusion through a peripheral vein developed thrombophlebitis. No other side-effects were observed. We conclude that fosfomycin is at least as effective as gentamicin. Since fosfomycin is widely atoxic and may be given in large doses, irrespective of kidney function, it is considered to have advantages over gentamicin in the combined therapy of pneumonia.

The clinical and bacteriological efficacy as well as the tolerance of mecillinam, a new beta-lactam antibiotic, administered parenterally in a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight, was investigated in 21 hospitalized patients with urinary tract infections or septicaemia. Success, defined as eradication of infecting organisms two to five days after treatment, was found in eight of 16 patients with urinary tract infections. Persistence of the original pathogen after treatment was seen in four patients, all with complicated urinary tract infection. Reinfection was seen in two patients, while the results were unevaluable in two cases. The five patients with septicaemia were all cured of their infection, this result being attributed solely to mecillinam in two cases, while a combined action of mecillinam and another antibiotic produced a cure in the other three cases. Escherichia coli resistant to mecillinam were isolated from two patients with persistence of bacteriuria following mecillinam treatment. Impairment of renal function may have been a contributory factor to the poor treatment response in patients with complicated urinary tract infection. Inasmuch as no important side-effects were recorded and mecillinam appears safe in patients with impaired renal and liver function, a higher dose may be indicated in these more complicated cases.

Flavobacterium meningosepticum has been shown to be the cause of hospital infections in the form of meningitis in premature infants. This study reports the result of a search for this micro‐organism among specimens submitted for examination for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Out of 27,600 specimens examined, 88 strains of F. meningosepticum were isolated, the majority originating from females. There were no characteristic clinical findings and no specific symptoms in the patients. It is concluded that the female genitals must be considered as possible source of hospital infection with F. meningosepticum.