Behavior of a Vigorous α- or β-Hemolysin-Producing Strain of Staphylococcus aureus in the Cutaneous Tissue of Mice

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Two strains of Staphylococcus aureus were examined for behavior in the cutaneous tissue of mice by the fluorescent antibody technique, hematoxylin and eosin staining. When about 10⁸ viable cells of an α-hemolysin-producing strain (Wood 46) were inoculated subcutaneously into a mouse, they multiplied in the subcutaneous tissue of the mouse and gradually entered the corium to produce α-hemolysin and nuclease. Edematous and necrotic lesions were observed in the cutaneous tissue where the organisms had multiplied. When 108 viable cells of a β-hemolysin-producing strain (Kitami 3-9D) were inoculated into a mouse, they multiplied within a narrow extent surrounded mainly by infiltrating leukocytes and produced mainly β-hemolysin. The changes of cutaneous tissue were weaker in mice inoculated with Kitami 3-9D strain than in mice inoculated with strain Wood 46. When 106 viable cells of both strains were inoculated into mice, they were phagocytized by leukocytes. Neither multiplication of organisms nor production of any active extracellular substance was observed in these mice. Edema, degeneration, and necrosis were also noticed in the cutaneous tissue of mice inoculated with α- and β-hemolysin. In addition, the infiltration of leukocytes was inhibited mainly by α-hemolysin.