The behaviour of mixed bacterial infections in the shell membranes of the hen's egg

Synopsis

The selection of Gram‐negative bacteria from a heterogenous flora on the shell membranes of the hen's egg occurred during two phases of the infection process. When the infection was confined to the shell membranes, the Gram‐negative bacteria achieved dominance over the Gram‐positive organisms. This dominance was accentuated when the albumen was invaded and it was noted, moreover, that a particular strain of Gram‐negative bacteria predominated whereas several strains co‐existed in the shell membranes.