This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Swierczewski, J. A. Articles by Reyes, P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Swierczewski, J. A. Articles by Reyes, P. Agricola Articles by Swierczewski, J. A. Articles by Reyes, P.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1970 September; 20(3): 323-327
Copyright © 1970 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Isolation of L-Forms in a Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ¹

Department of Microbiology, St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Gary, Indiana 46402

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have demonstrated that L-forms of bacteria may play a role in persistent, chronic, or recurrent urinary-tract infections. A 2-year program was initiated to determine the feasibility of culturing for L-forms on a routine basis, and to determine the effectiveness of such a program. In relation to the total number of specimens, few L-forms were actually isolated. In comparison with the amount of equipment and technician time required, the return was negligible; only 0.5% of all urine specimens were positive for L-forms. An increase to only 1.2% was noted when culturing for L-forms was limited to patients with a diagnosis of bacteriuria or pyelonephritis. It is recommended that this technique be reserved for those patients with a long history of recurrent urinary-tract infections, after other attempts to cure the patient have met with failure.

¹ Presented in part at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Miami, Fla., May 1969.