Advertisement
Research Article| Volume 17, ISSUE 6, P573-582, March 1932

The bacteriology of the nose and throat

      This paper is only available as a PDF. To read, Please Download here.

      Abstract

      From the foregoing paragraphs, it is evident that many bacterial species are to be found in the nasal passages and throat, and that the same, or apparently the same species occur on both the healthy and diseased mucous membrane. Therefore it is difficult, in the absence of a definite lesion, to appraise satisfactorily the clinical significance of many of the species encountered in a bacteriologic examination. This is especially true of the streptococci, whether green, indifferent or hemolytic, the pneumococci, staphylococci, gram-negative cocci and hemoglobinophilic bacilli. If we consider the hemolytic streptococci as an example, we must remember that they comprise a large group of many strains which differ greatly in their pathogenicity and virulence, and that while certain strains may give rise to scarlet fever, or to septic sore throat, others may be innocuous. The finding of hemolytic streptococci, therefore, is not necessarily significant, but the finding of a particular strain may be of great significance. Unfortunately the demonstration of a particular pathogenic strain is not always easy and is usually impractical in routine examinations. The rôle of the anaerobic bacteria as incitants of colds and influenza is unknown; they would appear to be part of the normal flora and of little if any pathogenicity, but additional experimental evidence may change our views. The recent work of Dochez,67 confirming the earlier work of Kruse68 and Foster,69, 70 has again directed our attention to the probability that a filterable virus is the primary cause of certain respiratory infections, preparing the way for the secondary complications which may be brought about by many of the common bacteria harbored in the upper respiratory tract. We are probably correct in believing that in the presence of a definite lesion the finding of an organism of known or potential pathogenicity is clinically significant; that in the absence of a lesion it denotes a carrier, but beyond this our present lack of knowledge does not justify definite interpretations.
      To read this article in full you will need to make a payment

      Purchase one-time access:

      Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online access
      One-time access price info
      • For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
      • For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'

      Subscribe:

      Subscribe to Translational Research
      Already a print subscriber? Claim online access
      Already an online subscriber? Sign in
      Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect

      References

        • Olitsky P.K.
        • Gates F.L.
        Experimental Studies of the Nasopharyngeal Secretions from Influenza Patients. I. Transmission Experiments with Nasopharyngeal Washings.
        J. Exper. Med. 1921; 33: 125
        • Mills K.C.
        • Shibley G.S.
        • Dochez A.R.
        Studies in the Common Cold. II. A Study of Certain Gram-Negative Filter-Passing Anaerobes of the Upper Respiratory Tract.
        J. Exper. Med. 1928; 47: 193
        • Bloomfield A.L.
        Variations in Bacterial Flora of Upper Air Passages During the Course of Common Colds.
        Bull. Johns Hopkins Hosp. 1921; 32: 121
        • Noble W.C.
        • Fisher E.A.
        • Brainard D.H.
        Studies of Acute Respiratory Infections. I. A Comparison of the Aerobic Flora of the Upper Respiratory Tract of Persons in Health and With Colds.
        J. Prev. Med. 1928; 2: 105
        • Burky E.L.
        • Smillie W.G.
        Nasopharyngeal Flora in Health and During Respiratory Disease in Isolated Communities in Alabama and Labrador.
        J. Exper. Med. 1929; 50: 643
        • Bloomfield A.L.
        Localization of Bacteria in Upper Air Passages: Its Bearing on Infection.
        Bull. Johns Hopkins Hosp. 1921; 32: 290
        • Shibley G.S.
        • Hanger F.M.
        • Dochez A.R.
        Studies in the Common Cold. I. Observations of the Normal Bacterial Flora of Nose and Throat With Variations Occurring During Colds.
        J. Exper. Med. 1926; 43: 415
        • Webster L.T.
        • Hughes T.P.
        The Epidemiology of Pneumococcus Infection: The Incidence and Spread of Pneumococci in the Nasal Passages and Throats of Healthy Persons.
        J. Exper. Med. 1931; 53: 535
        • Mackey L.
        Nasal Infection in Children; Analysis of 85 Cases Treated by Autogenous Vaccine.
        Brit. M. J. 1927; 1: 1004
        • Bordet
        The Microbe of Whooping Cough.
        Brit. M. J. 1909; 2: 1062
        • Moncrieff A.
        • Lightwood R.C.
        Paroxysmal Sneezing in Whooping Cough.
        Arch. Dis. Child. 1929; 4: 240
        • Meyer H.
        • Steinert R.
        Eine eigentümliche Meningitisform im Kindesalter, hervorgerufen durch Koch-Weekssche Bazillen.
        München. med. Wchnschr. 1928; 75: 945
        • Shulman H.I.
        Vincent's Infection of the Nose; Report of Case.
        Am. J. Dis. Child. 1928; 36: 352
        • Hollender A.R.
        Delayed Healing of Septal Resections Due to Vincent's Infection; Report of 3 Cases.
        Arch. Otolaryng. 1929; 9: 422
        • Kistner F.B.
        Primary Tuberculoma of the Nasal Mucosa; Report of a Case.
        Trans. Am. Laryng., Rhin. & Otol. Soc. 1928; 34: 461
        • Miller R.T.
        Gonorrheal Rhinitis.
        Am. J. Dis. Child. 1930; 40: 588
        • Jelin W.
        Ueber die Kapselbakterien bei der Ozoena.
        Monatschr. f. Ohrenh. 1929; 63: 1306
        • Elbert B.J.
        • Guerkess W.M.
        Sur le bacille du rhinosclerome et les diverses especes de bacilles muqueux.
        Ann. de l'Inst. Pasteur. 1930; 44: 548
        • Fraenkel E.
        Beitraege zur Pathologie und Aetologie der Nasennebenhoehlen Erkrankungen.
        Virchow's Arch. 1896; 143: 42
        • Linton C.S.
        Comparative Study of Bacterial Flora of Clinically Normal Nasal Sinuses.
        Ann. Otol., Rhin. & Laryng. 1930; 39: 779
        • Babcock J.W.
        Bacteriological and Clinical Aspects of Infections of the Accessory Sinuses of the Nose.
        Laryngoscope. 1918; 25: 527
        • Ashley B.J.
        • Frick W.V.
        Bacteriologic and Cytologic Study of the Maxillary Antrum in Children With Clinical Study of 83 Cases.
        Ann. Otol., Rhin. & Laryng. 1930; 39: 605
        • Ersner M.S.
        Diagnosis of Antral Infection.
        Ann. Otol., Rhin. & Laryng. 1929; 38: 87
        • Collet F.J.
        Recueil de faits tuberculose du sinus maxillaire.
        J. de med. de Lyon. 1927; 8: 423
        • Lederer F.L.
        • Livingstone G.V.
        Tuberculosis of the Nasal Accessory Sinuses.
        Ann. Otol., Rhin. & Laryng. 1928; 37: 1176
        • Jay H.M.
        Sinus Infection by Fusiform Bacillus and Spirillum.
        Med. J. Australia. 1927; 2: 513
        • Jordan E.O.
        • Norton J.F.
        • Sharp W.B.
        The Common Cold; Influenza Studies.
        J. Infect. Dis. 1923; 33: 416
        • Milam D.F.
        • Smillie W.G.
        A Bacteriological Study of “Colds” on an Isolated Tropical Island (St. John, United States Virgin Islands, West Indies).
        J. Exper. Med. 1931; 53: 733
        • Brown J.H.
        The Use of Blood Agar for the Study of Streptococci.
        in: Monograph No. 9. Rockefeller Inst.,, 1919
        • Williams A.W.
        • Nevin M.
        • Gurley C.R.
        Studies on Acute Respiratory Infections. I. Methods of Demonstrating Microorganisms Including “Filterable Viruses” From Upper Respiratory Tract in “Health,” in “Common Colds” and in “Influenza” With the Object of Discovering “Common Strains”.
        J. Immunol. 1921; 6: 5
        • Mathers G.
        The Bacteriology of Acute Epidemic Respiratory Infections Commonly Called Influenza.
        J. Infect. Dis. 1917; 21: 1
        • Tunnicliff R.
        • Hoyne A.L.
        Prevention of Measles by Immune Goat Serum.
        J. A. M. A. 1926; 87: 2139
        • Cobe H.M.
        Incidence of Bacteria in 400 Tonsil Cultures.
        J. Infect. Dis. 1930; 46: 298
        • Bloomfield A.L.
        • Felty A.R.
        Bacteriologic Observations on Acute Tonsillitis With References to Epidemiology and Susceptibility.
        Arch. Int. Med. 1923; 32: 483
        • Polvogt L.M.
        • Crowe S.T.
        Predominating Organisms Found in Cultures From Tonsils and Adenoids; Observations After 100 Operations.
        J. A. M. A. 1929; 92: 962
        • Pomales A.
        Bacteriological Study of Normal Throats, Pathological Throats and Tonsils Removed at Operation in Porto Rico.
        Porto Rico J. Pub. Health & Trop. Med. 1929; 5: 196
        • Andrewes C.H.
        • Derick C.L.
        • Swift H.F.
        A Study of Hemolytic Streptococci in Acute Rheumatic Fever With an Analysis of the Antigenic Relationships Existing Among Certain Strains.
        J. Exper. Med. 1926; 43: 13
        • Small J.C.
        Bacterium Causing Rheumatic Fever and Preliminary Account of Therapeutic Action of Its Specific Antiserum.
        Am. J. M. Sc. 1927; 173: 101
        • Birkhaug K.E.
        Rheumatic Fever. Bacteriologic Studies of a Non-Methemoglobin Forming Streptococcus With Special Reference to Its Soluble Toxin Production.
        J. Infect. Dis. 1927; 40: 549
        • Nye R.N.
        • Seegal D.
        Non-Hemolytic Streptococci and Acute Rheumatic Fever.
        J. Exper. Med. 1929; 49: 539
        • Hitchcock C.H.
        Studies on Indifferent Streptococci. I. Separation of a Serological Group—Type I.
        J. Exper. Med. 1928; 48: 393
        • Hitchcock C.H.
        Studies on Indifferent Streptococci. II. Observations on the Distribution of Indifferent Streptococci in the Throats of Rheumatic and Non-Rheumatic Individuals.
        J. Exper. Med. 1928; 48: 403
        • Cecil R.L.
        • Nicholls R.E.
        • Stainsby W.J.
        Bacteriology of the Blood and Joints in Rheumatic Fever.
        J. Exper. Med. 1929; 50: 617
        • Gilbert R.
        • Stewart F.C.
        Corynebacterium Ulcerans: A Pathogenic Microorganism Resembling B. Diphtheriae.
        J. Lab. & Clin. Med. 1927; 12: 756
        • Gilbert R.
        • Stewart F.C.
        Corynebacterium Ulcerans: Its Epidemiologic Importance.
        J. Lab. & Clin. Med. 1929; 14: 1032
        • Koplik H.
        Tuberculous Ulcer of Tonsils.
        Am. J. M. Sc. 1903; 126: 816
        • Dickey L.B.
        Primary Infection of Tonsil With Tuberculosis.
        Arch. Pediat. 1930; 47: 190
        • Foster H.E.
        Gonorrheal Tonsillitis.
        J. A. M. A. 1930; 94: 791
        • Busson B.
        Ueber Bacterium Friedlaender als Erreger von Tonsillarabszessen und ueber die Darstellung der Autovakzinen der Kapselbazillen.
        Monatschr. f. Ohrenh. 1927; 61: 325
        • Castellani A.
        Tonsillomycoses: A Brief General Account.
        Practitioner. 1930; 124: 67
        • Hoffstadt R.E.
        Note on Saccharomyces Mali Duclauxi Isolated from a Throat Culture.
        J. Lab. & Clin. Med. 1927; 13: 249
        • Kayser E.
        Études sur le fermentation de cidre.
        Ann. de l'Inst. Pasteur. 1890; 4
        • Smith V.
        Actinomycosis of Tonsils.
        Brit. M. J. 1930; 1: 148
        • Tunnicliff R.
        • Jackson L.
        Vibriothrix Tonsillaris, N. Sp., Organism of Actinomyces-like Tonsillar Granules.
        J. Infect. Dis. 1930; 46: 12
        • Petzetakis M.
        A propos de l'amygdalite amebienne.
        Rev. de med. et d'hyg. trop. 1930; 22: 79
        • Tunnicliff R.
        An Anaerobic Organism Associated With Acute Rhinitis.
        J. Infect. Dis. 1913; 13: 283
        • Noble W.C.
        • Brainard D.H.
        Studies of Acute Respiratory Infections. II. The Anaerobic Flora of the Nasopharynx in Health and in Colds.
        J. Prev. Med. 1928; 2: 313
        • Veillon
        • Zuber
        Recherche sur quelque microbes strictement anaerobies et leur rôle en pathogenie.
        Arch. de med. exper. 1898; 10: 517
        • Lewkowicz K.
        Recherches sur la flore microbienne de la bouche des nourrisons.
        Arch. de med. exper. 1901; 13: 633
        • Hall I.C.
        Influenza Studies; Search for Obligate Anaerobes in Respiratory Infections: An Anaerobic Micrococcus.
        J. Infect. Dis. 1921; 28: 127
        • Tunnicliff R.
        A Spirochaete Associated With Infections of the Accessory Sinuses.
        J. Infect. Dis. 1913; 13: 280
        • Olitsky P.K.
        • Gates F.
        Experimental Studies of the Nasopharyngeal Secretions From Influenza Patients. IV. Anaerobic Cultivation.
        J. Exper. Med. 1921; 33: 713
        • Olitsky P.K.
        • Gates F.
        Experimental Studies of the Nasopharyngeal Secretions From Influenza Patients. IX. The Recurrence of 1922.
        J. Exper. Med. 1922; 36: 501
      1. Noble, W. C., and Brainard, D. H.: Studies of Acute Respiratory Infections. III. Filter Passing Anaerobic Bacteria of the Nose and Throat in Health and in Colds, J. Prev. Med. (to be published).

        • Garrod L.P.
        Filter-Passing Anaerobes in the Upper Respiratory Tract.
        Brit. J. Exper. Path. 1928; 9: 155
        • Branham S.E.
        Anaerobic Microorganisms in Nasopharyngeal Washings; Influenza Studies.
        J. Infect. Dis. 1927; 41: 203
        • Dochez A.R.
        • Shibly G.S.
        • Mills K.C.
        Studies in the Common Cold. IV. Experimental Transmission of the Common Cold to Anthropoid Apes and Human Beings by Means of a Filterable Agent.
        J. Exper. Med. 1930; 52: 701
        • Kruse W.
        Die Erreger von Husten und Schnupfen.
        München. med. Wchnschr. 1914; 61: 1547
        • Foster G.B.
        The Etiology of Common Colds, the Probable Rôle of a Filterable Virus as a Causative Factor: A Preliminary Note.
        J. A. M. A. 1916; 66: 1180
        • Foster G.B.
        The Etiology of Common Colds, the Probable Rôle of a Filterable Virus as the Causative Factor: With Experiments on the Cultivation of a Minute Microorganism From the Nasal Secretion Filtrates.
        J. Infect. Dis. 1917; 21: 451