RESUMO
PIP: The carrier rate of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in 453 pre-school children in Ulloor Panchayat, Trivandrum, Kerala State, India was assessed from November 1976-July 1977. Throat and nasal swabs were cultured by standard techniques, and suspect colonies tested for virulence in rabbits. 16 or 3.5% of the children harbored diphtheria; 7 of these were 4-5 years old. Only 1 of the C. diphtheriae strains was found to be virulent. Several of the isolates were nonvirulent mitis strains, while no intermedius strains were found. 9 of the children were partially immunized, 4 were completely immunized and 3 were not immunized. Proportionally more carriers lived in thatched huts with mud floors or less ventilation than did children from wood or plaster houses.^ieng
