Hemolytic Streptococci from Tonsils of Cow, Hog, and Sheep

Abstract

Investigations in our laboratories have demonstrated the constant occurrence of hemolytic streptococci of the beta type in the human throat and tonsillar crypts. In excised tonsils of children and adults these streptococci can be isolated from the depths of the crypts in 97%,1 often in predominant numbers and occasionally in pure culture. These organisms conform to the virulent human type in their cultural and biological reactions. In 13.8% the streptococci from these tonsils resemble the Streptococci epidemicus, the mucoid encapsulated streptococcus identified with the bovine mastitis responsible for epidemic septic sore throat.2 The Streptococcus epidemicus recovered from milk and throat alike correspond to the human type of streptococci. Other streptococci responsible for bovine mastitis appear to be of the bovine type and apparently are harmless to human beings.The present investigation was to determine the presence of hemolytic streptococci in the tonsils of cattle and to study their biologic propert...