One hundred sixty-eight children with upper respiratory infections were screened for beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis. A recently developed throat culture kit was processed in comparison with the conventional blood agar plate using a duplicate swab technique. Kits and plates were examined independently. Three individuals with no previous bacteriologic experience were allowed to interpret results of the culture kit after receiving instructions for approximately 15 minutes on three consecutive days. The interpretations of two of these individuals approached 95% accuracy, and those of the third individual surpassed this rate. The kit appears to be at least equal to the conventional blood agar plate in supporting the growth of beta-hemolytic streptococci. Moreover, its selective nature allows the nontechnical office staff to interpret results of the cultures promptly and accurately with a minimum of instruction.
Three cases of reactive arthritis associated with Yersinia enterocolitica bowel infection are reported. In one case Y. enterocolitica was cultured from stools while all three exhibited a significant increase in serum antibody titres to Y. enterocolitica. These are believed to be the first reports of Yersinia reactive arthritis in Australia. Synovial membrane biopsy in one case revealed a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate the appearance of which was quite dissimilar to that of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Mononuclear cells of the peripheral blood, but not the synovial fluid from another patient had reduced functional activity compared to RA patients as determined by response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation and allogeneic responses. Large numbers of HLA-DR and acid phosphatase positive macrophages were also found in the synovial fluid of this patient. The reason for joint involvement in Y. enterocolitica reactive arthritis is unknown and further work is necessary.
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