In regard to the fact that adrenocorticotropic and adrenocortical hormones have strong enhancing effects on inapparent and spontaneous infections of experimental animals with any pathogenic organisms, three strains of inbred mice bred in varied environmental circumstances were employed to compare the influence of cortisone administration upon the incidens of bacterial contamination. The peritoneal fluid, heart blood and other organs from inbred strains of CFW, CF#1 and C57BL/6 were tested for the isolation of bacteria. The results obtained are as follows :
1. The incidence of bacterial contamination was much higher in the group of mice bred in an original breeding colony than those bred in a proper breeding room for inbred strains regardless to the variety of the strains, either treated or ndt treated with cortisone.
2. Cortisone enhanced the susceptibility of mice against the bacterial contamination in both groups of mice.
Hence, it seemed to be useful for the detection of hidden contamination of bacteria in mice.
3. The bacterial strains isolated from the tested mice were described concerning to the variety of the species and incidences.
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