Vaginal corynebacteria

1. Thirty-four vaginal Corynebacteria have been grouped and subgrouped according to their cultural and biochemical characters. Owing to their instability and to the rigid taxonomy of the Corynebacteria, the exact identity of many of the strains is uncertain, but their characters have been compared with some of the Corynebacteria which have been given specific rank.2. The majority of strains were carbohydrate-fermenters and many were of the hyperacid type. These may be associated in some way with a normal high vaginal acidity.3. Many instances of resemblances toC. diphtheriaein morphology, in staining reactions, and in cultural appearances relating to the different dissociative phases, were encountered in the examination of these strains, and, in fact, some of the cultural types seen were analogous to those ofC. diphtheriaedescribed by Mcleod.4. Intradermal tests on rabbits showed that many of these strains, including some from each group, were capable of inciting inflammatory reactions in their tissues, and it is suggested that they may play a secondary part in some infections.