Antibodies against staphylococcal bacteriophages in human sera. II. Assay of antibodies in exacerbation and regression of chronic staphylococcal osteomyelitis.

Sera from healthy individuals and from patients with staphylococcal infections were examined for anti-alpha-lysin and for antibodies against staphylococcal phage antigens. The phage antigens consisted of purified phages of the serological groups A, B and F, which were adsorbed to tanned sheep erythrocytes. In healthy individuals elevated antibody titres against each of the phage antigens were found in 9–11 per cent and elevated ASta-titres in 1 per cent. Elevated titres against phage antigen group A were found in 71 per cent of the patients. The corresponding figures for antigen group B and F were 25 and 47 per cent, respectively. Elevated ASta-titres were found in 44 per cent of the patients. A four-fold rise of the antiphage antibody titre could occur within 6–14 days in patients with acute staphylococcal infections.