Association of Nasal and Throat Staphylococci with Pyoderma Lesions.

A total of 109 cases of pyoderma were studied bacteriologicaliy by culture. Folliculitis cox~stituted the largest clinical group followed by impetigo and eczematoid dermatitis. Coagulase positive staphylococci were found to be the predominant aetiological agents in pure form and also in association with other infecting agents. Coagulase negative staphylococci constituted the next common organism, followed by beta-haemolytic streptococci. Nasal and throat swabs from all the cases were subjected to bacteriologic study and the association of nasal and throat staphylococci with pyoderma lesions was studied. Majority (56.66%) of staph-aureus strains were non typable; 56.66% of typable strains belonged to phage type III, 26.67% to phage type II and 16.67% to phage type I. The throat staphylococcal phage types were found to be associated more with pyoderma than nasal phage types.