BEHAVIOR OF BACTERIOPHAGE IN DISEASE 



471 



one of the rats survived the infection consequent to the ingestion, — 

 and survival is relatively frequent, — I could demonstrate in the blood, 

 removed by heart puncture on the 4th to 6th day after the infecting 

 meal, a bacteriophage virulent for the pathogenic bacterium.^i^- ^^i 



From these experimental studies I concluded that it is quite probable 

 that a similar event occurs in human typhoid fever, 



Beckerich and Hauduroy" were the first to demonstrate the presence 

 of a bacteriophage virulent for B. typhosus in blood cultures which failed 

 to give a growth of the typhoid bacillus. Following this observation, 

 Hauduroy^^'* systematically studied the question of the passage of the 

 bacteriophage into the circulation during the course of typhoid fever. 

 His observations were made on cases with positive, as well as those 

 with negative blood cultures. I am inserting some of his conclusions 

 in extenso. 



Cases with Negative Blood Cultures. 



The table given below summarizes the results obtained in a series of cases 

 of this type. 



* All of the bacterial strains used in this study were laboratory strains known 

 to be susceptible. 



Here are the curves showing the temperature reactions of two of these cases. 

 The time at which the blood was collected which later showed the presence of a 

 bacteriophage active for B. typhosus is indicated. 



Case Tr The blood culture was negative. The bacteriophage was 



found in the blood at the moment when the patient showed a true crisis; at a 

 time when the oscillations in the temperature were very considerable. Upon 

 the day following that when the blood yielded a bacteriophage convalescence 

 began. 



Case Ri This patient had a typhoid fever of the abortive type. 



Admission to the hospital occurred on the 3rd day of the disease, and on the 7th 

 day defervescence was complete. A blood culture taken on the 11th day was 

 negative, but the blood at this time contained a bacteriophage very active for 

 the typhoid bacillus. We will have occasion to mention the bacteriologic findings 

 on this patient again, for they are of very great interest. 



