Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory InvestigationsUniversity of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
History
Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
University of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
Influenza; Influenza Epidemic, 1918-1919
It is the thread forms, as discussed above, that have received most
attention in relation to the so-called pseudo-influenza bacillus. The
observations of Wollstein, Lacy and many others showed these forms to be
common in meningeal infections and that, as a rule, they are more
pathogenic for animals than other strains. Another interesting and
important observation is that emphasized by Dick and Murray of the
possible confusion of these forms with Gram negative leptothrix. That
this confusion is liable to occur is illustrated by reports such as
Macdonald finding leptothrix in a meningeal infection, now looked upon
as an example of influenzal meningitis, and the probable B. influenzæ
reported by Dick, and, as quoted by Dick and Murray, the finding of a
Gram negative leptothrix as the cause of broncho-pneumonia by Kato. The
2 per cent. leptothrix reported by Nuzum and his co-workers from the
recent epidemic may be still another example. Equally important is the
recognition of the great frequency of this thread development in the
majority of B. influenzæ cultures on ordinary blood agar media, or even
in the water of condensation of fresh blood agar tubes. The delayed
growth of this bacillus on ordinary blood agar would lead to its being
frequently overlooked unless smears are made, and the irregular thread
forms are recognized as being the B. influenzæ. This development of
thread forms was particularly noted in my work before pickings were made
to the Voges heated blood agar, but because I had been forewarned by
discussing these morphological variations with Lacy, I was able to
recognize them as forms of B. influenzæ. Most of my early isolations
showed these predominating, and they were also noticed in cultures sent
from the Public Health Laboratory at Washington. These cultures on
further transfer, however, showed in 24 hours the typical small form on
ordinary blood agar as well as on the Voges medium. On the latter the
development of thread forms was greatly delayed and frequently did not
appear at all, although after long periods other abnormal, swollen and
irregular shapes sometimes developed.
_Media in Growth of B. Influenzæ_
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