Transmission of group A streptococci: III. The effect of drying on the infectivity of the organism for man

The sources of airborne bacteria within living quarters are minute droplet nuclei which remain suspended in the air following expulsion from a carrier and contaminated particles which have become suspended from dried environmental deposits. Since group A streptococci may be isolated from environmental deposits in populations experiencing an epidemic of streptococcal respiratory disease (Loosli, Lemon, Wise & Robertson, 1952), it has been assumed that contaminated particles of dust serve as an important reservoir of infection. Indeed, many of our measures employed to control respiratory infection in recent years have been directed against this reservoir.