[Typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains for epidemiological studies using the polymerase chain reaction].

Objective: To determine whether polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting can be used to gain insight into the epidemiology of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Design: Retrospective DNA analysis of MRSA strains. BACTERIAL STRAINS: MRSA strains were collected in two Dutch and one Belgian hospital (Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, Delft; St.

Bacteroides and Staphylococcus glycocalyx: chemical analysis, and the effects on chemiluminescence and chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

Glycocalyx (or slime), which is an important virulence factor of many pathogenic bacteria, was isolated from Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Organisms were grown for 24 h in a chemically defined, dialysable liquid medium. Bacteria were centrifuged and the supernatant was concentrated and dialysed against distilled water.