LOCAL IMMUNIZATION OF RABBITS TO CUTANEOUS INFECTION WITH STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

1. Bacterial filtrates were prepared by the methods described by Besredka, but these never developed any specific growth-inhibiting factors. 2. Such filtrates produced a strictly local immunity of the areas of the skin infiltrated but such protection was never greater than that produced with the broth from which they were prepared. This immunity was manifest within 8 hours and persisted at least 15 days. 3. Transcutaneous treatment by moist dressings soaked in either filtrate or broth were entirely ineffective. 4. Sites of healed cutaneous lesions show a strictly local and nonspecific immunity for a period of 5 to 6 weeks. 5. Repeated intracutaneous infection with virulent staphylococci failed to produce a general cutaneous immunity.