INTERCHANGE OF GROUP C BETA HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI AMONG DOGS AND MONKEYS CONFINED IN DYNAMIC FLOW ATMOSPHERIC SYSTEMS

Serial throat and rectal bacteriological samples were taken from closely confined animals in dynamic flow atmospheric chambers during toxicology experiments at both altitude and ambient conditions to measure the extent of bacterial interchange in environments similar to those in space cabins. Dogs and monkeys were exposed for prolonged periods to 0.2 mgcu m ozone in air at 740 mm Hg, to 100 oxygen at 260 mm Hg, and to ambient conditions. The incidence of isolation of Lancefield group C beta hemolytic streptococci increased from 25 to 91. Because of this increased rate of isolation of serologically uniform beta hemolytic streptococci, transfer of this organism between animals is postulated. The effects of confinement on bacterial interchange in this particular set of atmospheres are discussed.