Examination of Market Foods for Coliform Organisms

Food specimens (490) in nine categories were examined for total aerobic plate count and numbers and types of coliform organisms, including the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EEC). The total counts were compared with various suggested standards, and a limit of 100,000/g appeared to be a realistic goal, except for certain food types with a high level of natural flora. Plate counts in VRB were compared to counts obtained by isolation by enrichment in LST Broth, and the latter method produced a higher percentage of isolations. The presence of E. coli was determined by use of EC Medium incubated at 44.5 +/- 0.1 C. Only 40.4% of the positive EC tubes, however, contained E. coli. It appeared that a limit of 10 coliform organisms per g as a suggested standard could be met with several types of foods. Isolation of EEC was obtained only three times, or in 0.6% of the specimens.     

Cytocatalytic evolution in plants

Low fertility and vigor, and requirements of ecological niches distinct from diploids are not universal characteristics of autoploids. InClaytonia, Hedyotis, Oldenlandia, and other genera, occurrence and frequency of both polyploids and aneuploids within species populations suggest a greater role of such mutations in the evolution of vascular plants than heretofore presumed.     

Allescheria boydii and Aspergillus fumigatus Skin Test Antigens

May, Lewis K. (Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia), Ralph A. Knight, and H. William Harris. Allescheria boydii and Aspergillus fumigatus skin test antigens. J. Bacteriol. 91:2155-2157. 1966.-Protein and polysaccharide fractions were extracted from culture filtrates of Allescheria boydii and Aspergillus fumigatus by the methods of Seibert and of Heidelberger, and injected intradermally into guinea pigs previously infected with these fungi. The diameter of erythema and induration was determined at 8, 24, and 48 hr. The protein and polysaccharide antigens yielded specific skin reactions in homologously infected guinea pigs. Erythema appeared at 8 hr with both the protein and polysaccharide antigens. At this time, the polysaccharide skin tests showed erythema and a central blanched wheal. A similar wheal was not observed with the protein. The erythema of the polysaccharide reaction began fading at 24 hr, whereas the protein reaction remained unchanged through 48 hr with both antigens. In guinea pigs, the area of erythema was more constant and thus easier to measure than was induration.