RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF BETA-HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCUS GROUP-B ENDOCARDITIS BY BUFFY-COAT EXAMINATION AND GAS-LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

A semicomatose 34-year-old man had fever, heart murmur, and multiple gangrenous lesions. Several blood cultures were negative. Cultures of the heart valve grew beta-haemolytic streptococcus group B. The organism was seen in buffy-coat examination of the venous blood. The gas-liquid chromatogram of the serum was different from those of normal controls and of patients with invasive Candida infection; it closely mimicked the one obtained from the organism itself. These studies promise to be valuable diagnostic adjuncts.