THE CLASSIFICATION OF AEROBIC DIPHTHEROIDS FROM HUMAN SKIN

SUMMARY. An attempt was made to classify as simply as possible the aerobic diphtheroid organisms isolated from skin and nose swabbings, the material being derived mainly from patients with skin diseases. A broad classification was possible on the presence or absence of nitrate reduction; some further subdivision on the basis of fermentation reactions and urease production was attempted. About one third of the organisms investigated reduced nitrates and 56% of these were found in the nose. Of the non-nitrate reducers less than 4% were of nasal origin, the majority being associated with miscellaneous skin and perineal sites. It was also noted that organisms failing to ferment sucrose were isolated largely from perineal swabs.