[Quantitative and qualitative bacteriological studies on urine specimens obtained by suprapubic needle aspiration and on midstream-voided samples].

In 398 patients with suspected urinary tract infection, quantitative and qualitative bacteriological studies were conducted in urine samples obtained by suprapubic needle aspiration of the bladder (BPU) and in midstream-voided specimens (MSU) collected immediately following the aspirations. In MSU, bacteria were found in 96.5% of all cases and in BPU in only 38.

[Vital fluorescent staining of microorganisms by 3',6'-diacetyl-fluoresceine for determination of their metabolic activity (author's transl)].

By fluorescent microscopy and spectroscopy studies involving micro-organisms which were either viable or devitalised by heat sterilisation or gamma irradiation and could not be cultured any more, fluorochrome binding with 3' , 6'-diacetyl fluorescein was shown to be linked with the viability of a cell and a function of its actual metabolic state. The incorporation of diacetyl fluorescein into cells, its storage and hydrolysis to fluorescein mean active processes taking place at high speed. Viable cells are capable of storing fluorescein intracellularly, bound to structural elements.