bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunological Cross-Reactivity Between a Heat-Labile Enterotoxin(s) of
Escherichia coli
and Subunits of
Vibrio cholerae
Enterotoxin
Authors: Clements John D. , Finkelstein Richard A.
Published: January 2020

Heat-labile enterotoxin from
Escherichia coli
is immunologically related to both subunits, A and B, of cholera enterotoxin as demonstrated by neutralization and immunodiffusion.
Chemotaxigenic activity of extracts from the mycelial and spherule phases of Coccidioides immitis for human polymorphonuclear leukocytes
Authors: Galgiani J N , Isenberg R A , Stevens D A
Published: January 2020

In order to further characterize human host defenses against Coccidioides immitis, extracts of this fungus were tested in vitro for their ability to attract polymorphonuclear leukocytes derived from peripheral blood of uninfected subjects. Soluble substances prepared from the mycelial (saprophytic) and spherule (tissue) phases exhibited, in the presence of serum, dose-dependent chemotactic activity. The dose-response correlations were different. The spherule-derived preparation showed decreased activity at the high concentrations, a diminution not observed with equivalent concentrations of the mycelial filtrate. Chemotactic activity was not observed with either substance in the absence of serum or if heat-inactivated serum was substituted. Because the response of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes to these fungal substances appears complement mediated, a selective cellular defect in this function which antedates exposure to C. immitis seems unlikely.
Suppression of Humoral Responses During
Trypanosoma cruzi
Infections in Mice
Authors: Cunningham Dean S. , Kuhn Raymond E. , Rowland Edwin C.
Published: January 2020

C57BL/6 mice exhibit low parasitemias and often survive
Trypanosoma cruzi
infections, whereas C3H(He) mice die during the acute phase with relatively high parasitemias. The present study showed that both strains of mice develop nonspecific immunosuppression to challenge with sheep erythrocytes during the course of infection. Several major differences in immunosuppression-related phenomena between the two strains of mice were determined, yet there is no apparent relationship between immunosuppression and resistance to
T. cruzi
. Both the number of direct plaque-forming cells and the titer of 2-mercaptoethanol-sensitive agglutinating antibody were significantly lower on day 11 for C57BL/6 mice and day 9 for C3H(He) mice. The number of indirect plaque-forming cells and the titer of mercaptoethanol-resistant agglutinating antibody were reduced by day 36 of infection in C57BL/6 mice and 13 days postinfection in C3H(He) mice. In both strains the degree of humoral response suppression of mice increased concomitant with the period of infection, but was not correlated with the changes in spleen cell numbers. Preliminary experiments designed to explore the mechanism underlying the induction and maintenance of immunosuppression in this hostparasite model disclosed the presence of suppressor substance in the serum of
T. cruzi
-infected mice. The passive transfer of serum from infected mice to syngeneic recipients elicited a state of immunosuppression to sheep erythrocytes, but did not diminish anti-erythrocyte activity in allogeneic recipients. The induction of immunosuppression in normal mice was further found to be dependent on the interval between serum transfer and challenge with antigen. No quantitative differences existed between the magnitude of suppressed humoral responses in mice infected for varying lengths of time and recipients of serum collected from similarly infected mice.
K-1 Antigen of
Escherichia coli
: Epidemiology and Serum Sensitivity of Pathogenic Strains
Authors: Pitt Jane
Published: January 2020

K-1
Escherichia coli
are far more frequent in neonatal sepsis (36% of
E. coli
sepsis) and meningitis (80% of
E. coli
meningitis) than would be expected by the frequency of K-1
E. coli
colonization in neonates (11 to 25%). There is no apparent parallel in cases of sepsis in adults. To study further this apparent age-related difference in virulence,
E. coli
K-1 clinical isolates were tested for their sensitivity to sera. Strains isolated from cases of neonatal meningitis were more sensitive to serum bactericidal activity than those from cases of neonatal or adult sepsis or adult meningitis (
P
< 0.01). Serum sensitivity did not appear to be determined by K or O antigens. Four isolates sensitive to serum bactericidal activity obtained from neonatal cerebrospinal fluid were killed by adult serum chelated with 0.05 M Mg
2+
ethyleneglycol-bis (β-aminoethyl ether)-
N,N
-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), suggesting that the alternative pathway was activated. Although untreated neonatal sera killed these strains as well as adult sera did, EGTA-treated neonatal sera were less effective than EGTA-treated adult sera. This suggests that the alternative pathway function was not activated in neonatal sera. The bactericidal defect of neonatal EGTA-treated serum was partially corrected by addition of either A or B hyperimmune equine meningococcal antiserum.
Nonhuman primate model for the study of respiratory Klebsiella pneumoniae infection
Authors: Berendt R F , Knutsen G L , Powanda M C
Published: January 2020

Squirrel monkeys were inoculated by the intratracheal inoculation of 700 Klebsiella pneumoniae organisms and developed lobar pneumonia in about 24 h. Characteristic clinical findings were fever, anorexia, and coughing. Laboratory findings included leukocytosis or leukopenia (with the latter more prominent in ultimately fatal infections), bacteremia, and shedding of bacteria into the pharynx. Infected monkeys showed increased plasma lysozyme activity as well as increased plasma ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin and alpha1-antitrypsin. The mortality rate was 60%, and the mean time of death was 50.5 h. Pathologically, the disease spread by means of Kohn's pores and other pathways that generally did not involve airways as a means of dissemination until about 30 h. Squirrel monkeys seem to be better models for human respiratory K. pneumoniae infection than rats or mice.
Biological Effects of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A on Human Peripheral Lymphocytes
Authors: Langford M. P. , Stanton G. J. , Johnson H. M.
Published: January 2020

The mitogenicity, ability to induce immune interferon, and relationship between interferon synthesis and cell proliferative response were studied using human peripheral lymphocytes stimulated by staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), and concanavalin A (ConA). Maximum cell proliferative responses ([
3
H]thymidine incorporation) and protein synthesis (
14
C-amino acid incorporation) occurred on days 3 and 4, respectively, after stimulation by each of the three mitogens. Maximal immune interferon levels were found 3 or 4 days after mitogen stimulation. SEA-treated cultures produced approximately three times more interferon than did cultures stimulated with PHA-P or ConA. Furthermore, SEA stimulated maximal cell proliferation over a much broader concentration range than did PHA-P and ConA (SEA, 10
−5
to 10
2
μg/ml; PHA-P, 10
1
to 10
2
μg/ml; ConA, 10
1
to 10
1.5
μg/ml). Interferon was also produced at maximal or near maximal levels over a broad concentration range of SEA (10
−2
to 10
2
μg/ml). Also, we found that inhibition of mitogen-induced DNA and protein synthesis to control levels by mitomycin C or cytosine arabinoside partially reduced interferon production. The DNA inhibitor studies indicate that immune interferon synthesis occurs maximally in association with at least some proliferative response and that submaximal levels of interferon production occur in mitogen-treated cultures in the absence of detectable proliferation. The ability of SEA to stimulate maximal DNA and immune interferon synthesis at concentrations of 3.5 × 10
−13
M and 3.5 × 10
−10
M, respectively, puts it in a potency range similar to that of hormones. Thus, SEA may play an important role in gut immunity and
Staphylococcus aureus
infections at concentrations well below those required for emetic effects.
Enhancement of avian sarcoma virus-induced tumor growth after pretreatment with BCG
Authors: Wainberg M A , Israel E
Published: January 2020

Pretreatment of chickens with BCG 1 week before inoculation with avian sarcoma virus had a stimulatory effect on virus-induced tumor growth in 15 of 17 cases tested. This outcome was dependent upon the injection of both BCG and the oncogenic agent into the same wing web. Injection of BCG into the wing web contralateral to that used for virus inoculation or injection of a subcellular fraction of BCG into the same wing web did not affect tumor development. Administration of BCG also gave rise to heightened levels of tumor-associated, cell-mediated immunity, both on the part of chickens which received a subsequent injection of oncogenic virus as well as normal, BCG-inoculated controls.
Survival and multiplication of Vibrio cholerae in the upper bowel of infant mice
Authors: Baselski V S , Medina R A , Parker C D
Published: January 2020

The survival and multiplication of Vibrio cholerae strains of varying virulence in the upper bowel of orally challenged infant mice early in infection has been examined. Analysis of changes in the apparent specific activity (counts per minute per colony-forming unit) of the cell population after 4 h compared with the inoculum indicated that strain CA401 established a viable, multiplying cell population, whereas strains VB12 (a rough variant) and 569B were subject to host bactericidal and bacteriolytic mechanisms. An analysis of parameters which may affect the specific activity is included. We have defined the infective potential of the strains in terms of the changes in specific activity. The relative infective potentials are CA401 greater than 569B greater than VB12.
New cellular and extracellular amphipathic antigen from Actinomyces viscosus NY1
Authors: Wicken A J , Broady K W , Evans J D , Knox K W
Published: January 2020

A new type of amphipathic antigen was isolated from culture supernatants and cells of Actinomyces viscosus NY1 and partially characterized as a fatty acid-substituted heteropolysaccharide. Similar components have been detected serologically in other strains of Actinomyces.
Leukocytic endogenous mediator in Crohn's disease
Authors: Solomons N W , Elson C O , Pekarek R S , Jacob R A , Sandstead H H , Rosenberg I H
Published: January 2020

Reduced concentrations of plasma zinc associated with elevated levels of serum leukocytic endogenous mediator activity were found in 17 patients hospitalized with acute exacerbation of Crohn's disease. Neither the decrease in plasma zinc nor the increase in leukocytic endogenous activator activity in nine outpatients with quiescent disease was significant. Leukocytic endogenous mediator activity may be increased in inflammatory conditions as well as in microbial infections. Although zinc deficiency may be common in patients with Crohn's disease, exclusive reliance on circulating zinc levels to assess zinc nutriture in active Crohn's disease may be misleading.
Impaired colonization of gnotobiotic and conventional rats by streptomycin-resistant strains of Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Bammann L L , Clark W B , Gibbons R J
Published: January 2020

Colonization of streptomycin-resistant mutants derived from Streptococcus mutans strain LB1, a human isolate, and strain FA-1, a rodent isolate, was studied in gnotobiotic and conventional rats. Mutants resistent to 2.0 mg of streptomycin per ml were isolated by using both stepwise (suffix "R"M) and one-step (suffix "R"1) selections. Rats were infected with mixtures of parental and streptomycin-resistant strains, and the proportions of each strain present in samples from the intestinal canal, tongue dorsum, teeth, and fissure plaque were determined. Combinations of strains investigated were LB1 and FA-1"R"M; FA-1 and LB1"R"M; LB1 and LB1"R"1; FA-1 and FA-1"R"1. In gnotobiotic rats, nonresistant strains predominated in every oral sample studied at 7 and 21 days after infection. Similarly, when conventional exgermfree rats were infected with FA-1 and FA-1"R"1, FA-1 dominated in all samples. Streptomycin-sensitive revertants were not detected in rats monoinfected with strains LB1"R"1 and FA-1"R"1 for 21 days. No antagonistic interactions were observed between the strains in in vitro experiments. Streptomycin-resistent mutants attached to hydroxyapatite treated with rat or human saliva in equal or higher numbers than did parental strains. However, parental strains appeared to grow faster in Trypticase soy broth then streptomycin-resistant mutants. These observations indicate that induction of streptomycin resistance frequently impairs the colonization properties of S. mutans strains, possibly by altering their rate of growth.
Listeria pneumonitis: induction of immunity after airborne infection with Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Lefford M J , Amell L , Warner S
Published: January 2020

After implantation of approximately 10(3) Listeria monocytogenes organisms into the lungs, mice develop an acute pneumonitis with dissemination of infection to a mediastinal lymph node (MedLN), liver, and spleen. The infections in a MedLN and spleen resolve in approximately 7 days, but the lung infection persists for a few days longer. Pneumonitis is accompanied by a lymphoproliferative response in a MedLN and spleen, and immunity to Listeria is conferred adoptively with MedLN and spleen cells but not with mesenteric lymph node cells. Although the spleen appears to be the major repository of sensitized lymphocytes, splenectomized mice combat Listeria pneumonitis as effectively as normal mice. It is concluded that the induction of immunity to lung infection with L. monocytogenes is efficient and that the cause for the rather protracted pneumonitis is due to a defect in the expression of the cell-mediated immunity effector mechanism.
Bactericidal capacity of phorbol myristate acetate-treated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes
Authors: Wang-Iverson P , Pryzwansky K B , Spitznagel J K , Cooney M H
Published: January 2020

Thus far, the functional capacity of phorbol myristate acetate- (PMA)-treated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes has been undefined. PMA induced exocytosis of lactoferrin, the specific granule marker, but not of myeloperoxidase, the azurophil granule marker. This phenomenon was demonstrated both biochemically and with fluorescent antibody conjugates. PMA-treated neutrophils contained virtually no specific granules when viewed by electron microscopy. Separation of the granule classes by linear sucrose density gradient centrifugation revealed the loss, from PMA-treated neutrophils, of lactoferrin and the specific granule (D20(20) = 1.89) band usually resolved from normal neutrophils. Cells treated with PMA appeared to retain those functions normally associated with intraleukocytic microbicidal action. The hexose monophosphate shunt activated by phagocytic challenge was present in PMA-treated neutrophils. As demonstrated by electron microscopy, the azurophil granules of these cells appeared intact, and they retained the capacity for degranulation with translocation of myeloperoxidase to the site of phagocytized Escherichia coli. The PMA-treated neutrophils also remained capable of degrading the ingested microorganisms. PMA-treated neutrophils exhibited a decrease in phagocytic ability at all levels of bacterial challenge. In the presence of a high multiplicity of bacteria they demonstrated an impairment in killing. These same cells were able to kill low multiplicities of E. coli as well as control cells. It thus appeared that the loss of the specific granules, plus other undefined PMA-induced alterations, impaired neither the viability of these neutrophils nor their killing ability in the presence of a modest phagocytic challenge.
Microcapsule of Campylobacter fetus: chemical and physical characterization
Authors: Winter A J , McCoy E C , Fullmer C S , Burda K , Bier P J
Published: January 2020

The antiphagocytic antigen (antigen [a]) comprising the microcapsule of a strain of Campylobacter fetus subsp. intestinalis has been purified from culture supernatants by ammonium sulfate fractionation and free-flow electrophoresis. Antigen [a] is a glycoprotein containing about 4% carbohydrate consisting of hexose, pentose, and methylpentose. The composition of the protein was typical of bacterial extramural structural proteins in its low content of basic, aromatic, and sulfur-containing amino acids. The protein had a high content of aspartic acid, threonine, glycine, and alanine. Antigen [a] had an Rf of 0.33 on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a molecular weight calculated in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of approximately 98,000. In contrast to its free form in culture supernatants, antigen [a] in vesicles derived from sheared cells appeared to exist in a complex with lipopolysaccharide. This complex could be dissociated by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid plus Triton X-100. A mutant strain that lacked a microcapsule, when incubated with soluble antigen [a] in a calcium medium, became agglutinable by monospecific [a] antiserum and showed an additional structural layer similar in appearance to the microcapsule on its cell wall. Points of similarity are emphasized between antigen [a] of C. fetus and the outer structural protein of the taxonomically related Spirillum serpens.
Defective prostaglandin synthesis by C3H/HeJ mouse macrophages stimulated with endotoxin preparations
Authors: Wahl L M , Rosenstreich D L , Glode L M , Sandberg A L , Mergenhagen S E
Published: January 2020

Macrophages obtained from C3H/HeN mice produced significant amounts of prostaglandin E when exposed to phenol-extracted lipopolysaccharides (LPS), whereas macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice were unresponsive. The lipid A fraction from phenol-extracted LPS was an effective inducer or prostaglandin synthesis by macrophages from C3H/HeN mice. The polysaccharide portion of the LPS molecule had no effect. In contrast, the C3H/HeJ macrophages did not produce prostaglandin E in response to the lipid A moiety of phenol-extracted LPS. LPS prepared by butanol extraction stimulated the production of prostaglandin E by macrophages from both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice. The component of butanol-extracted LPS that stimulated the C3H/HeJ macrophages was shown to be a lipid A-associated protein. Further studies demonstrated a correlation between prostaglandin production by the macrophages of these two strains of mice in response to butanol- and phenol-extracted LPS and the lethal effects of the endotoxin preparations.
Host defenses in murine malaria: evaluation of the mechanisms of immunity to Plasmodium yoelii infection
Authors: Murphy J R , Lefford M J
Published: January 2020

The immune response of random-bred mice to infection with a relatively avirulent strain of Plasmodium yoelii was measured in terms of parasitemia, splenomegaly, immediate and delayed hypersensitivity to a P. yoelii antigen preparation, resistance to challenge with a virulent variant of P. yoelii, and nonspecific resistance to L. monocytogenes. Avirulent P. yoelii produced a self limiting infection which resolved in 21 days. Peak parasitemia and splenomegaly were observed at 14 days, and infected mice were resistant to challenge with virulent P. yoelii from 7 days through at least 126 days. Mice infected with avirulent P. yoelii developed humoral immunity as judged by immediate hypersensitivity reactions and the capacity of their serum to passively protect normal mice against virulent P. yoelii. At no time did mice infected with the avirulent P. yoelii display evidence of cell-mediated immunity, as expressed by delayed-type hypersensitivity and increased resistance to L. monocytogenes. In fact, at the height of avirulent P. yoelii infection there was decreased resistance to L. monocytogenes in both liver and spleen, and the macrophages of the undisturbed peritoneal cavity were similarly defective. It was concluded that the defense mechanism of mice against P. yoelii is mediated by humoral factors in the absence of demonstrable cell-mediated immunity.
Defective cellular immunity to gram-negative bacteria in cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Sorensen R U , Stern R C , Chase P , Polmar S H
Published: January 2020

In vitro lymphocyte responses to Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been found to be impaired in cystic fibrosis patients with advanced clinical disease. The responses to Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, and Proteus mirabilis were studied in a similar group of cystic fibrosis patients and normal individuals. Cystic fibrosis patients found to be unresponsive to pseudomonas were also unresponsive to klebsiella, serratia, and proteus. Responsiveness to Staphylococcus aureus was not impaired in cystic fibrosis patients. We postulate that in vitro lymphocyte responses to several gram-negative bacteria require the function of a lymphocyte subpopulation which may be impaired in some cystic fibrosis patients.
Cellular interactions determine the rate and degree of interferon action
Authors: Blalock J E
Published: January 2020

The rate and degree of interferon action on mouse embryo (ME), mouse L, and human amnion (WISH) cells were found to be dependent on the cell density. The most precipitous drop in interferon action occurred just below cell confluency. This effect was shown with both vesicular stomatitis virus and Sindbis virus and at both constant and variable input multiplicities of infection. At both "high" and "low" cell densities, cells attached to a surface develop viral resistance faster than suspended cells. These data indicate that either cell contact or close cell proximity is required for maximal interferon activity. These results are discussed in relation to interferon-induced transfer of viral resistance.
Cryptic peptidoglycan and the antiphagocytic effect of the Staphylococcus aureus capsule: model for the antiphagocytic effect of bacterial cell surface polymers
Authors: Wilkinson B J , Peterson P K , Quie P G
Published: January 2020

The antiphagocytic effect of the Staphylococcus aureus capsule is known to be related to its ability to interfere with opsonization by normal human serum. In this study, evidence is presented with isolated cell surface components which indicates that the capsule hinders opsonization by masking cell wall peptidoglycan. In contrast to intact, encapsulated S. aureus M cells, peptidoglycan particles isolated from the organism were efficiently opsonized by normal human serum and phagocytized by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Cell wall particles retaining capsular material were opsonized less efficiently than peptidoglycan. Studies comparing the opsonic capacities of normal, C2-deficient, and heat-inactivated sera led to the conclusion that both the classical and the alternative complement pathways contribute to the opsonization of peptidoglycan in normal human serum. It appears that the capsule interferes with opsonization via both of these complement pathways. Serum from rabbits immunized with S. aureus M had significant heat-stable opsonic activity for the intact organism and cell walls retaining capsular material, but not for peptidoglycan. A general model is proposed to explain how antiphagocytic cell surface polymers may inhibit bacterial opsonization and thereby impede natural immunity.
Factors Affecting Release of Heat-Labile Enterotoxin by Enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
Authors: Kunkel Steven L. , Robertson Donald C.
Published: January 2020

Various conditions affecting the release of heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) by enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
have been examined. The pH of a defined medium containing three amino acids, M-9 salts, and 0.5% glucose decreased to less than 7.0 in early log phase of growth, and no extracellular LT was detected. Adjustment of the pH at 8 h from 6.0 to 8.0 resulted in a concomitant increase in LT activity in culture supernatants. The release of cell-associated LT was significantly reduced by preincubation with protease inhibitors and increased by preincubation with trypsin. Cell-associated LT was not released by pH adjustment of cells grown at 21°C; however, polymyxin B treatment released a toxin species active in only the pigeon erythrocyte lysate (PEL) assay system. As the growth temperature was increased, polymyxin B released toxin species which exhibited both PEL and Y-1 adrenal tumor cell activity. Polymyxin B extracts of enterotoxigenic
E. coli
in early log phase grown at 37°C possessed only PEL activity, whereas extracts from cells in late-log and stationary phases had biological activity in both assay systems. Also, LT released by pH adjustment from mid-log to stationary phase was active in both PEL and Y-1 adrenal tumor cell assays. Gel electrophoresis of polymyxin B extracts revealed at least three molecular weight species active in either the PEL (22,000 daltons and 30,000 daltons) or both the PEL and the Y-1 adrenal tumor cell assay (72,000 daltons), depending on the growth temperature. These observations may help to explain the chemical and biological heterogeneity of most LT preparations and facilitate purification of LT by increasing the yield of enterotoxin.
Surface macromolecules and virulence in intracellular parasitism: comparison of cell envelope components of smooth and rough strains of Brucella abortus
Authors: Kreutzer D L , Robertson D C
Published: January 2020

The surface topography of whole cells and the chemical composition of cell envelopes of a smooth-intermediate strain (45/0) and a rough strain (45/20) of Brucella abortus was examined. Electron microscopy of whole cells and thin sections did not reveal any gross surface difference(s). Only minor quantitative differences were observed in total lipids, proteins, and the murein layer. However, the lipopolysaccharide composition of the two strains was quite different. Both phenol- and water-soluble lipopolysaccharide fractions were obtained from the strain of higher virulence (45/0), whereas only aqueous lipopolysaccharide could be isolated from the rough strain. In addition to being toxic, the phenol-soluble lipopolysaccharide may be a key virulence factor in intracellular survival of B. obortus within phagocytic cells.
Biotyping of Chlamydia psittaci based on inclusion morphology and response to diethylaminoethyl-dextran and cycloheximide
Authors: Spears P , Storz J
Published: January 2020

Strains of Chlamydia psittaci from cattle, sheep, pigs, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, and parrots were subdivided based on their biological characteristics. Chlamydiae grown in the yolk sac of chicken embryos were used to infect L cell monolayers. The host cells were infected without further treatment or treated with diethylaminoethyl-dextran, cycloheximide, or both. The following criteria were used for biotyping the strains: the morphology of the inclusions and time after infection at which they appeared, the effect of chlamydial multiplication on the host cell cytoskeleton, and the change in the number of cells infected in response to diethylaminoethyl-dextran and cycloheximide. These properties were determined for 29 strains of C. psittaci. Based on the results, the strains were placed into eight biotypes.
Effect of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate antagonists on endotoxin-induced inhibition of human neutrophil chemotaxis
Authors: Issekutz A C , Ng M , Biggar W D
Published: January 2020

We reported previously that Escherichia coli endotoxin inhibited human neutrophil chemotaxis toward C5a. This effect of endotoxin was antagonized by anti-inflammatory steroids. We now report that dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate, prostaglandin E1, isoproterenol, and cholera toxin also antagonize the suppression of chemotaxis by endotoxin. Each compound inhibited the effect of endotoxin in a dose-dependent fashion. To be effective, each compound except cholera toxin had to be present at the time of endotoxin challenge. Furthermore, propranolol blocked the protective effect of isoproterenol against endotoxin but not the protective effect of dibutyrl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate or prostaglandin E1. Dibutyryl cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate, adenosine 5'-monophosphate, phenylephrine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and carbachol did not modify the suppression of chemotaxis by endotoxin. Anti-inflammatory steroids and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate are thought to stabilize phospholipids in certain cell membranes. This phospholipid-stabilizing action may contribute, at least in part, to the protective effect against endotoxin-mediated suppression of neutrophil chemotaxis.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A antibodies to Shigella flexneri antigens
Authors: Keren D F
Published: January 2020

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been developed to detect class-specific antibodies to Shigella flexneri lipopolysaccharide antigens. This enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system has been used to measure antibodies present in serum or intestinal secretions without further purification. It is considerably more sensitive than passive hemagglutination, allowing detection of as little as 1.3 ng of specific immunoglobulin G antibody per ml in immune sera. Optimal conditions for this assay are outlined in this report.
Kinetics of lymphocyte transformation in mice immunized with viable avirulent forms of Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Fromtling R A , Blackstock R , Hall N K , Bulmer G S
Published: January 2020

A murine model was developed to study the cell-mediated immune response of mice immunized with one of two live, avirulent forms of Cryptococcus neoformans: a nonencapsulated mutant and a thinly encapsulated pseudohyphal variant. A lymphocyte transformation assay was used to evaluate the cellular response of control and sensitized spleen cells after in vitro incubation with three merthiolate-killed whole-cell antigens of C. neoformans. An antigen-to-spleen cell ratio of 10:1 and 5 days of incubation of antigen-spleen cell mixtures were established as optimal conditions for maximum lymphocyte transformation. Maximum responses occurred from 2 to 3 weeks after the last of eight weekly intraperitoneal inoculations of C. neoformans. This assay provided an accurate, reproducible method of studying cell-mediated immunity to C. neoformans, and applications to the study of cryptococcal pathogenesis are proposed.
Purification and characterization of different types of exfoliative toxin from Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Johnson A D , Spero L , Cades J S , de Cicco B T
Published: January 2020

Exfoliative toxin was isolated from strain DI of Staphylococcus aureus using carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxylapatite chromatography. This purified toxin was compared with that produced by strain TA. The specific biological activity of the two toxins was the same, but they were serologically distinct. These strains have different loci (plasmid or chromosomal) for toxin production; differences were seen in molecular weight and amino acid composition. N-terminal amino acid sequences from the two strains showed significant homology using a single unit alignment shift.
Antigenic changes in Vibrio cholerae biotype eltor serotype Ogawa after bacteriophage infection
Authors: Ogg J E , Ogg B J , Shrestha M B , Poudayl L
Published: January 2020

Vibrio cholerae biotype eltor serotype Ogawa cultures infected with temperate bacteriophage from lysogens of biotype eltor serotype Hikojima yielded types with altered agglutination reactions.
Cellular and humoral immune responses to varicella-zoster virus in immunocompromised patients during and after varicella-zoster infections
Authors: Gershon A A , Steinberg S P
Published: January 2020

Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to varicella-zoster (V-Z) virus were assessed in patients during and after V-Z infections. Ongoing V-Z infections was associated with minimal cellular immunity but not necessarily with poor humoral immunity. Recovery from V-Z infection was associated with a vigorous cellular immune response. Cell-mediated immunity to V-Z virus was demonstrable for years after varicella, but responses were lower in immunocompromised patients than in normal individuals.
Opsonization of Cryptococcus neoformans by human immunoglobulin G: role of immunoglobulin G in phagocytosis by macrophages
Authors: Kozel T R , McGaw T G
Published: January 2020

The role of immunoglobulin G (IgG) as an opsonin in phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans by macrophages was investigated. Labeling with 125I showed that IgG isolated from normal human serum bound to non-encapsulated C. neoformans. Furthermore, IgG-opsonized cryptococci were agglutinated by anti-serum to IgG heavy chains, indicating that normal human serum contains antibody that will bind to the yeast surface. The IgG isolated from normal serum accounted for all opsonizing activity found in normal human serum, since differences were not noted between the opsonizing activities of whole serum, heat-inactivated serum and purified IgG when these opsonins were compared at equivalent concentrations of IgG. Phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized cryptococci was inhibited by anti-macrophage IgG, a reagent known to block Fc-mediated attachment and ingestion, and by pepsin digestion of opsonizing IgG. Thus, IgG opsonization is an Fc-dependent process. Opsonizing IgG appears to play its major role during the attachment phase of phagocytosis, since antimacrophage IgG blocked attachment of cryptococci to macrophages but could not block ingestion of IgG-opsonized cryptococci that had been allowed to attach to macrophages. Ingestion of opsonized cryptococci was not blocked by 2-deoxy-D-glucose, a reagent known to block Fc-mediated ingestion, thus confirming that IgG has a primary role in attachment and suggesting that ingestion is mediated by a process that is not Fc dependent.
Galactomannan antigenemia in invasive aspergillosis
Authors: Reiss E , Lehmann P F
Published: January 2020

Galactomannan (GM) extracted from mycelia of Aspergillus fumigatus with cold dilute alkali reacted with antiserum specific for an antigen that circulated in invasive aspergillosis in rabbits and humans. The GM was purified by its affinity for concanavalin A and was separated from a nonantigenic glucan by gel permeation on Sephacryl S-200. The GM molecular weight of between 25,000 to 75,000 was smaller than the antigen present in infected rabbit serum which was retained by an ultrafiltration membrane that had a nominal molecular weight limit of 125,000. The ratio of galactose to mannose present in GM was 1:1.17. The serological activity of GM was stable to boiling but labile to 0.01 N HCl, implicating galactofuranose as an antigenic determinant. Analysis of purified GM by methylation-gas chromatography suggested a structure consisting of a 1 leads to 6-linked mannan backbone with oligogalactoside side chains 3 units long, terminating in galactofuranose. The presence of mannose as a side chain component was also inferred. Another antigen of A. fumigatus, which did not bind to concanavalin A, was isolated after tandem chromatography on diethylaminoethyl- and carboxymethyl-Sephadex and was identified as a galactan. The galactan inhibited the immune precipitation of GM was specific antiserum.
Immunological behavior after mycobacterial infection in selected lines of mice with high or low antibody responses
Authors: Lagrange P H , Hurtrel B , Thickstun P M
Published: January 2020

Resistance and susceptibility to mycobacterial infection in the Biozzi high and low lines of mice which were genetically selected for their responses to heterologous erythrocytes have been found to be related to the innate ability of nonimmune macrophages to kill or inhibit the growth of the organisms during the first two weeks after infection and to their ability to mount specific and nonspecific immune responses. High antibody-producer mice were more capable of expressing cell-mediated immune parameters than low antibody-producer mice. A direct relationship was observed between the ability of bacteria (BCG vaccine) to multiply inside the reticuloendothelial system and the development of cell-mediated immunity, as measured by the delayed local reaction at the injection site, the lymphoproliferative response in the draining nodes, the tuberculin delayed-type hypersensitivity, the acquired resistance, and the adjuvant effect after BCG inoculation. In high line mice, apart from the inability of their macrophages to inhibit the early growth of bacteria, their lymphocytes in spleen and thymus were more capable of being stimulated in vitro by varying concentrations of living BCG. The data presented in this report are compatible with the hypothesis that a group of genes segregated in each line during the selective breeding controls the innate microbicidal activity.
Measles virus-specific antibodies and immunoglobulin M antiglobulin in sera from multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Shirodaria P V , Fraser K B , Armstrong M , Roberts S D
Published: January 2020

When rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis sera was titrated by the fluorescent antibody method on measles virus-infected cells, there was a marked and variable drop in titer on acetone-fixed cells as compared with unfixed cells. This was accounted for by the failure of measles virus hemolysin-inhibiting (HLI) antibody of the immunoglobulin G class to bind to acetone-fixed infected cells. It was shown by staining unfixed and acetone-fixed measles virus-infected cells that rheumatoid factor in most rheumatoid arthritis sera combined with measles virus-specific hemagglutinin-inhibiting and HLI antibodies, whereas rheumatoid factor in multiple sclerosis sera combined only with HLI antibody. Rheumatoid factor of similar specificity was also observed in normal sera and occasionally in rheumatoid arthritis sera. Both rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis sera showed almost identical increases in average titer above normal of measles virus-specific fluorescent staining immunoglobulin G and HLI antibodies.
Immunization of mice against coccidioidomycosis with a subcellular vaccine
Authors: Pappagianis D , Hector R , Levine H B , Collins M S
Published: January 2020

In vitro-cultivated spherules of Coccidioides immitis were disrupted in a Braun homogenizer. The resultant wall fragments were separated from cell sap and endospores by centrifugation. Extraction of the walls with phosphate-buffered saline yielded a subcellular fraction that was immunogenic in mice. This fraction, which contained polysaccharide and protein, gave substantial protection against intranasal challenge with a usually lethal dose (1,000) of arthrospores, provided that it was administered with adjuvant.
Serological response of the bovine fetus to bovine viral diarrhea virus
Authors: Brown T T , Schultz R D , Duncan J R , Bistner S I
Published: January 2020

Susceptible pregnant heifers were inoculated with bovine viral diarrhea virus at 150 days of gestation and earlier. Fetuses were surgically collected at selected times after inoculation. Serum immunoglobulins were quantitated, and the presence of specific antibodies was determined. In fetuses from heifers inoculated at 150 days, immunoglobulin M (IgM) appeared approximately 2 weeks after inoculation and was followed in 7 days by IgG1. Later IgG2 was detected in the sera of three fetuses. Serum-neutralizing and complement-fixing antibodies were first detected in a fetus taken at 206 days of gestation. Fetuses taken at later times also had specific serum antibodies. Possible explanations for the appearance of serum immunoglobulin substantially before specific bovine viral diarrhea antibodies include the viral alteration of host tissues rendering them antigenic viral activation of polyclonal B cells, and viral modulation of virus-specific lymphocytes causing specific interference with the appearance of antiviral antibodies. In one of the fetuses having IgG2, the serum also contained IgA. Placental leakage of material immunoglobulins was thought to be responsible for the presence of IgA and IgG2 in this fetus. Small quantities of IgM were found in the serum of two fetuses taken from heifers inoculated between 65 and 95 days of gestation, but specific antibodies were found in none.
Modulation of the susceptibility of inbred and outbred rats to arthritis induced by cell walls of group A streptococci
Authors: Anderle S K , Greenblatt J J , Cromartie W J , Clark R , Schwab J H
Published: January 2020

Inbred Buffalo rats were resistant to the induction of experimental arthritis induced by systemic injection of cell wall fragments in a crude whole-cell sonic extract of group A streptococci. This was in contrast to the susceptibility of outbred Sprague-Dawley and certain other inbred strains. Preliminary breeding studies indicated that genetic control of resistance of susceptibility is multigenic. When Buffalo rats were infected with a saline suspension of isolated cell wall fragments, chronic remittent arthritis developed. Suspension of isolated cell wall fragments, chronic remittent arthritis developed. Suspension of the isolated cell walls in the supernatant fraction of group A streptococci solubilized by sonication eliminated the arthropathogenicity in Buffalo rats. Thus, a component separable from the cell wall fraction can modulate the arthropathogenicity of cell walls in rats, but the effect depends upon the genetic background of the rat. The antibody response of Buffalo rats to the polysaccharide antigen of cell walls was also affected by the supernatant fraction of sonicated group A streptococci.
Production of heat-stable, methanol-soluble enterotoxin by Yersinia enterocolitica
Authors: Boyce J M , Evans E J , Evans D G , DuPont H L
Published: January 2020

Seven isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 0:8, recovered during an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, were examined for enterotoxin production. All seven strains were enterotoxigenic in the suckling mouse model, and three of five isolates tested produced keratoconjunctivitis in the guinea pig eye model (Sereny test). Enterotoxin was detected in broth supernatant fluid after 12 h of incubation at 25 degrees C. The toxin was not inactivated by exposure to 121 degrees C for 30 min or by storage at 4 or -40 degrees C for at least 5 months. The enterotoxin was also acid stable and methanol soluble. Methanol extraction did not affect its heat stability or enterotoxic activity in suckling mice. These physical characteristics plus limited ultrafiltration studies suggest that the enterotoxin is a low-molecular-weight substance. Y. enterocolitica enterotoxin resembles Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin in heat and pH stability, methanol solubility, and enterotoxic activity in suckling mice. However, its role in the pathogenesis of human diarrhea has not been established.
Killing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by human polymorphonuclear neutrophil granule extracts
Authors: Rest R F
Published: January 2020

Neisseria gonorrhoeae was grown in vitro (on agar and in broth) and in vivo (in 10-day chicken embryos) and tested for its sensitivity to the bactericidal action of human neutrophil granule extracts. Under all conditions studied, type 1 and type 4 N. gonorrhoeae were killed equally well by dialyzed extracts of neutrophil granules (containing both azurophil and specific granule contents) and by the myeloperoxidase-Cl- - H2O2 bactericidal system. However, sensitivity to the bactericidal activity of granule extracts depended upon growth conditions and growth phase. Log-phase, egg-grown gonococci were the most sensitive; they were killed 100% by 250 to 300 micrograms of granule extract (60 min, 37 degrees C) per ml. N. gonorrhoeae grown on agar for 20 h (to stationary phase) were the least sensitive, being killed only 80 to 90% with 500 micrograms of granule extract per ml. Thus, susceptibility to granule extract of gonococci grown under the four conditions studied in this report decreased in the order: log phase, egg grown; log phase, broth grown; stationary phase, egg grown; and stationary phase, agar grown. Killing was time and temperature dependent; little killing occurred when incubations were done at 10 degrees C. Boiled granule extract had only minimal effects on N. gonorrhoeae viability. Addition of catalase (500 U/ml) to the granule extract bactericidal system did not protect; however, the same concentration of catalase completely inhibited the bactericidal activity of the myeloperoxidase-Cl- - H2O2 system.
Interaction of influenza A virus with human peripheral blood lymphocytes
Authors: Brownson J M , Mahy B W , Hazleman B L
Published: January 2020

Peripheral blood lymphocytes cultured in the presence of phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, or pokeweed mitogen were exposed in vitro to influenza A virus. The synthesis of several virus-specific proteins, including the nucleoprotein, membrane protein, and nonstructural 1 protein were detected, although no infectious virus was produced by the lymphocyte cultures. Evidence was obtained that only a subpopulation of mitogen-transformed cells would support virus protein synthesis. A comparison of the interactions of influenza A virus with lymphocytes from normal individuals and from rheumatoid arthritis patients showed that the same range of virus-specific proteins were made, in similar quantities, regardless of the source of lymphocytes.
Evaluation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa toxin A in experimental rat burn wound sepsis
Authors: Walker H L , McLeod C G , Leppla S H , Mason A D
Published: January 2020

The search for methods to achieve control of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection continues with the introduction of aluminum-absorbed toxoid developed from P. aeruginosa exotoxin. This toxoid induces significant titers of neutralizing and precipitating antibodies for toxin A when given with appropriate adjuvants. These experiments show that immunization with aluminum phosphate-absorbed toxoid failed to protect burned rats infected with P. aeruginosa. These and previous experiments show that active immunization with live P. aeruginosa provides good strain-specific protection in the same model. No cross-protection was demonstrated between strains of P. aeruginosa in these experiments.
Endotoxin in vitro interactions with human neutrophils: depression of chemiluminescence, oxygen consumption, superoxide production, and killing
Authors: Proctor R A
Published: January 2020

Endotoxin was shown to depress neutrophil bactericidal activity while enhancing Nitro Blue Tetrazolium reduction and hexose monophosphate shunt activity. Separation of bactericidal action from oxidative metabolism suggests that the effect of endotoxin might involve the formation of reactive oxygen radicals such as superoxide. Chemiluminescence often accompanies metabolic activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). However, human PMNs did not show chemiluminescence when challenged with endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) or lipid A. Superoxide formation was also unaffected by endotoxin. In contrast, preincubation of PMNs with LPS for 30 min produced significant depression of chemiluminescence, oxygen consumption, and superoxide formation. Decreased chemiluminescence was not the result of complement consumption. In a cell-free system, superoxide was not scavenged by LPS, nor did LPS stimulate superoxide dismutase. Oxidase enzymes for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate harvested from broken cells were not affected by LPS. The toxicity of LPS may reside in its ability to activate the PMNs while simultaneously blocking bactericidal capacity.