bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dichotomy between opsonization and serum complement activation by encapsulated staphylococci
Authors: Peterson P K , Kim Y , Wilkinson B J , Schmeling D , Michael A F , Quie P G
Published: January 2020

Previous studies have demonstrated that encapsulated Staphylococcus aureus strains are not effectively opsonized by the serum complement system. Encapsulated staphylococci thereby "resist phagocytosis." To test whether this phenomenon might be explained by an inability of encapsulated strains to activate complement, the relationship between staphylococcal opsonization and serum complement activation was studied. Although encapsulation was found to interfere with opsonization by pooled human serum (human polymorphonuclear leukocytes phagocytized significantly fewer encapsulated bacteria than unencapsulated bacteria after incubation in this opsonic source), encapsulated (S. aureus M and Smith diffuse) and unencapsulated (S. aureus M variant and Smith compact) strains had similar capacities for complement activation as measured by C3-C9 consumption. When C2-deficient and immunoglobulin-deficient sera were studied, again C3-C9 consumption was not influenced by the presence or absence of a capsule. In addition, C3 was detected on the surface of both S. aureus M and M variant strains after incubation in pooled serum and staining with fluorescein-conjugated anti-C3 antibody. Thus, encapsulated staphylococci are not effectively opsonized even though complement is activated and C3 is present on the bacterial surface. The exact mechanism by which the capsule interferes with opsonization is still not known; however, inhibition of complement activation appears not to be the explanation of this phenomenon.
Bronchopulmonary Cellular Response to Aluminum and Zirconium Salts
Authors: Stankus Richard P. , Schuyler Mark R. , D'Amato Robert A. , Salvaggio John E.
Published: January 2020

The bronchopulmonary cellular immunological response to repeated intratracheal inoculation of aluminum chlorhydrate, sodium zirconium lactate, and zirconium aluminum glycine was examined in rabbits. Results of a dose-response experiment using 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0-mg intratracheal inoculations of each metallic salt demonstrated significant bronchopulmonary histopathology in the 10.0-mg dose-response groups only. Acute lesions were histologically characterized by an inflammatory response centered around respiratory bronchioles. Although epithelioid cell formation was evident in 10.0 mg of aluminum salt (aluminum chlorhydrate and zirconium aluminum glycine) -injected animals, no well-defined granulomas characterized by an orderly arrangement of epithelioid cells, lymphocytes, and giant cells were evident in any of the experimental groups employed. All three metallic salts induced “activated” bronchopulmonary macrophages as determined by an in vitro phagocytic assay. This activation was likely nonimmunological since no measurable differences were observed in metallic salt-induced delayed skin reactivity or migration inhibition factor production between inoculated and uninoculated rabbits. The above observations suggest that aluminum and zirconium salts administered in comparatively high dosage via the respiratory tract route can induce respiratory bronchiolitis and activation of alveolar macrophages in the absence of demonstrable delayed hypersensitivity.
Suppression of Staphylococcus aureus extracellular nuclease and alpha-toxin synthesis by acetylmethylcarbinol
Authors: Udou T , Ichikawa Y
Published: January 2020

Acetylmethylcarbinol added to the inoculated culture of Staphylococcus aureus Wood 46 suppressed 85% of the differential rates of extracellular nuclease and alpha-toxin.
Suppression of lymphocyte transformation by plasma from owl monkeys acutely infected with Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Taylor D W , Siddiqui W A
Published: January 2020

Plasma collected from owl monkeys during the acute phase of Plasmodium falciparum infection was shown to adversely affect several in vitro responses which are considered to be correlates of cell-mediated immune functions of normal monkeys. In the presence of acute-phase plasma, response of normal monkey peripheral blood lymphocytes to stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen was severely reduced, as was the ability of peripheral blood lymphocytes to respond to allogenic and xenogenic histocompatible antigens. The transformation response of peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal humans to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A was also suppressed. Since acute-phase plasma was not cytotoxic for peripheral blood lymphocytes, decreased responsiveness did not result from cell destruction. Acute-phase plasma appears to block initial steps in lymphocyte transformation.
Murine macrophage-lymphocyte interactions: scanning electron microscopic study
Authors: Albrecht R M , Hinsdill R D , Sandok P L , Horowitz S D
Published: January 2020

Light and scanning electron microscopic observations revealed murine macrophage-lymphocyte interactions involving the initial contact of peritoneal, spleen, or thymus lymphocytes with peritoneal macrophage processes or microprocesses followed by clustering of lymphocytes over the central nuclear area of the macrophages. Lymphocyte-lymphocyte clustering was not observed in the absence of macrophages. Attachment and subsequent clustering appeared not to require the presence of serum or antigen; the attachment of allogeneic or xenogeneic lymphocytes was comparable to that seen in the syngeneic system, but central clustering of these lymphocytes failed to occur. No attachment or clustering was observed when thymic lymphocytes were cultured with thymus derived fibroblasts rather than with peritoneal macrophages. Lymphocyte attachment to immune, antigen-activated, syngeneic macrophages occurred more rapidly than that to normal unstimulated syngeneic macrophages; however, lymphocytes attached to the "activated" macrophages appeared to be killed by a nonphagocytic mechanism. A similar increase in the rate of lymphocyte attachment to macrophages occurred in the presence of migration inhibitory factor. Subsequent lymphocyte clustering on macrophages was observed in the migration inhibitory factor-stimulated cultures. In addition, lymphocyte-macrophage interactions similar to those in vitro were observed to occur in vivo on intraperitoneally implanted cover slips.
Ultracentrifugal inoculation of herpes simplex virus
Authors: Tenser R B
Published: January 2020

By ultracentrifugation of 30 ml of highly dilute suspensions of herpes simplex virus (HSV) directly onto monolayer cultures grown in centrifuge tubes, infectivity was significantly greater than without centrifugation. Ultracentrifugation at 20,000 to 25,000 rpm (28,000 to 45,000 X g) for 1.5 to 2.3 h was utilized with good preservation of cultures. With low-speed centrifugation at 3,000 rpm (1,100 X g), infectivity was almost 10-fold greater than without centrifugation. With ultracentrifugal inoculation, infectivity was about 100-fold greater than without centrifugation. Ultracentrifugal inoculation permitted the detection of HSV at concentrations as low as 0.05 plaque-forming units per ml. Similarly, ultracentrifugal inoculation of cultures was almost 100-fold more sensitive a method of detecting infectious HSV than was pelleting HSV from dilute suspensions followed by resuspension and inoculation of cultures. Ultracentrifugal inoculation of cultures may permit the isolation of HSV in situations where virus cannot be detected by ordinary means and may prove applicable to the study of other viruses.
Strain-dependent cytotoxic effects of endotoxin for mouse peritoneal macrophages
Authors: Peavy D L , Baughn R E , Musher D M
Published: January 2020

The cytotoxic effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on mouse leukocytes have been examined in vivo and in vitro. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS into C57BL/6 mice greatly reduced the recovery of mononuclear cells; LPS was cytotoxic for macrophages, but had a mitogenic effect on lymphocytes. Similar effects of LPS on peritoneal leukocytes were observed in vitro. When monolayers of adherent peritoneal cells were studied in vitro, cytotoxicity was also observed, suggesting that the effect of LPS on macrophages is direct and does not require participation by lymphocytes. Entirely different results were obtained when peritoneal macrophages from LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ mice were studied. LPS failed to activate lymphocytes and was not cytotoxic for macrophages in vitro or in vivo. The effect of LPS on polymorphonuclear leukocytes appeared to be the same in all mouse stains studied. Lipid A was shown to be the most biologically active portion of the LPS molecule. Whereas polysaccharide-deficient endotoxins extracted from rough mutants of Salmonella typhimurium were cytotoxic for macrophages in vitro, polysaccharides that lacked esterified fatty acids did not exhibit this activity. Since LPS may mediate its effects through affinity for mammalian cell membranes, the cellular unresponsiveness of C3H/H3J mice to LPS may reflect an inability of cells from LPS-resistant strains to interact with LPS at the membrane level.
Mitogenicity of Mycoplasma fermentans for human lymphocytes
Authors: BiberfeldG  , Nilsson E
Published: January 2020

The in vitro stimulation response of human lymphocytes to Mycoplasma fermentans was examined. M. fermentans stimulated DNA synthesis in blood lymphocytes from all of 20 healthy subjects examined. Only one of these subjects had complement-fixing antibodies to M. fermentans. Lymphocytes from 21 of 22 adenoids and from 1 spleen were also stimulated to DNA synthesis by M. fermentans. The organism induced DNA synthesis in both B and T lymphocytes from adenoids and spleen and preferentially in T lymphocytes from blood. M. fermentans was shown to activate adenoid lymphocytes to non-amtogem-specific antibody secretion demonstrable by a hemolytic plaque assay. It is concluded that M. fermentans can have a mitogenic effect on both B and T lymphocytes.
Lung clearance of Staphylococcus aureus strains with differing protein A content: protein A effect on in vivo clearance
Authors: Gross G N , Rehm S R , Toews G B , Hart D A , Pierce A K
Published: January 2020

We have studied the clearance from murine lungs of two strains of Staphylococcus aureus, one possessing high and the other possessing low levels of protein A.S. aureus FDA 209 and S. aureus Wood 46 were assayed for their ability to bind mouse immunoglobulin G, using an indirect radioimmunoassay. S. aureus FDA 209 binding of mouse immunoglobulin was significantly greater than that of S. aureus Wood 46 (118,909 versus 37,845 cpm). Clearance of these two strains from the lung after a 30-min aerosol inoculation period was not significantly different. The percentage of bacteria remaining in the lung was 49.2 and 55.0% at 2h, 31.8 and 33.2% at 3 h, and 25.4 and 17.2% at 4 h for protein A-rich and protein A-poor strains, respectively (P greater than 0.20 at each time). These data suggest that the previously demonstrated in vitro antiphagocytic effect of protein A may not be relevant to pulmonary clearance mechanisms.
Possible role of Fc receptors on cells infected and transformed by herpesvirus: escape from immune cytolysis
Authors: Adler R , Glorioso J C , Cossman J , Levine M
Published: January 2020

Receptors for the Fc portion of nonimmune immunoglobulin G were demonstrated on B103 rat brain neuroma cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) KOS by a radioimmunoassay using 125I-labeled heat-aggregated Fc fragments. Immune F(ab')2 fragments specific for HSV antigens competed efficiently for Fc binding sites, suggesting that the binding of Fc fragments to infected cells is specific for viral cell-surface antigens. It has been suggested that the binding of immune complexes to Fc receptors on the surfaces of tumor cells in vivo plays a role in protecting these cells from immune destruction. In vitro evidence is presented for the ability of aggregated immunoglobulin G molecules bound to cell-surface Fc receptors to protect both HSV-infected and HSV-transformed cells against complement-dependent and cell-mediated immune lysis.
Distribution of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) in the tissues of lipopolysaccharide-responsive and -unresponsive mice
Authors: Musson R A , Morrison D C , Ulevitch R J
Published: January 2020

We examined the distribution of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in LPS-responsive (C3H/St) and LPS-unresponsive (C3H/HeJ) mice. The results reported here demonstrate that the rates of removal of an immunological or a toxic dose of LPS from the circulation are the same in both strains of mice. C3H/St spleens accumulated significantly more LPS than C3H/HeJ spleens after the intravenous injection of either an immunogenic or a toxic dose of LPS. There was also a greater amount of LPS associated with cells teased from C3H/St spleens compared to those from C3H/HeJ spleens. After a toxic dose of LPS, there was more LPS in C3H/St lymph nodes, adrenals, lungs, kidneys, and heart than in the corresponding C3H/HeJ tissues. The accumulation of more LPS in tissues from C3H/St mice compared to C3H/HeJ mice suggests that these tissues are involved in the pathophysiological and, ultimately, the toxic effects of LPS. The differential accumulation of LPS in the tissues of these two strains may be the reason for the decreased responses of C3H/HeJ mice to LPS.
Incomplete inhibition of the immunoglobulin G-binding behavior of nitrated protein A
Authors: Sloan G J , Butler J E
Published: January 2020

Nitration of protein A with tetranitromethane incompletely blocks its Fc-binding ability for immunoglobulin G when measured by more sensitive methods of immunoprecipitation and when tested in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, binding of protein A and blockage by nitration is heterogeneous and depends on the species origin of the immunoglobulin G.
In vitro colonization of Streptococcus mutans on enamel
Authors: Tinanoff N , Tanzer J M , Freedman M L
Published: January 2020

An in vitro model consisting of enamel from extracted human molars, suspended from wires in inoculated culture tubes, was used to study the adhesion of bacteria to enamel. Under conditions in which there was no macroscopically visible plaque formation, electron micrographs showed no bacterial deposits on the enamel surface. In samples where Streptococcus mutans attached to enamel, an extracellular, pellicle-like material was associated with the bacteria adjacent to the enamel. This material appeared to bind to the enamel surface and to mediate bacterial attachment. Membrane-filtered (Millipore Corp.) saliva deposited a thin surface layer on the enamel, but there were no observable alterations of S. mutans attachment to enamel pretreated with saliva. It was noted that Bratthall serotype c and e strains of S. mutans, when grown in glucose-containing medium, attached, although less tenaciously, to enamel and nichrome wires. Chemical and gas chromatographic analyses of cell-associated materials formed by serotype c and e strains cultured in glucose-containing medium revealed low amounts of glucose-positive material and no polymer linkages characteristic of glucan; yet the same strains cultured in sucrose-containing medium had relatively high amounts of glucose-positive material, with polymer linkages-characteristic of glucan. Serotype a, b, and d strains could attach only in sucrose-containing media.
Immunotherapy of a guinea pig hepatoma with mycobacterial vaccines: comparison of BCG cell walls and cell wall skeletons
Authors: Yarkoni E , Rapp H J
Published: January 2020

BCG cell wall skeletons (SK) derived from BCG cell walls (CW) by treatment with proteolytic enzymes and organic solvents were tested for their potency to cause regression of a transplanted guinea pig hepatoma. On a weight basic, SK were as effective as CW in causing tumor regression, and they, as well as purified protein derivative of mycobacteria, provoked delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in animals immunized with CW or with SK. On a weight basis, CW were more active than SK in eliciting delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in sensitized guinea pigs whether the animals were immunized with CW or with SK. In unimmunized animals the inflammatory response to intradermally administered CW was greater than that evoked by SK. CW and SK provoked delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions of similar strength in animals immunized with living BCG. This study provided no compelling reasons for using SK instead of CW in clinical trials of cancer treatment by mycobacterial vaccines.
Group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin: pyrogenicity, alteration of blood-brain barrier, and separation of sites for pyrogenicity and enhancement of lethal endotoxin shock
Authors: Schlievert P M , Watson D W
Published: January 2020

Group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin type C (SPE C) was shown to produce fever by crossing the blood-brain barrier. The toxin directly stimulated the hypothalamic fever response control center, thus bypassing a requirement for endogenous pyrogen release. SPE C was detected in the cerebrospinal fluids of toxin-treated rabbits by pyrogen tests and a hemagglutination inhibition assay. The toxin altered the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to endotoxin, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae as well as to itself. SPE C did not alter the in vivo differential and total counts of peripheral blood leukocytes and did not elicit endogenous pyrogen release from leukocytes in vitro. In vivo, peripheral blood platelet counts remained unchanged after SPE treatment. Cycloheximide pretreatment of rabbits did not inhibit fever production by SP C. In contrast to the hypothermia observed in mice treated with endotoxin intravenously susceptibility to lethal endotoxin shock. The abilities of SPE C to produce fever and enhance lethal shock were shown to be separate functions of the molecule; fever results from stimulation of the hypothalamus, and enhancement appears not to involve the central nervous system.
Pathogenesis of fever in delayed hypersensitivity: factors influencing release of pyrogen-inducing lymphokines
Authors: Atkins E , Francis L
Published: January 2020

In continuing studies on the pathogenesis of fever in states of delayed hypersensitivity, we have investigated the conditions for the release of an endogenous pyrogen (EP)-inducing lymphokine from draining-lymph-node lymphocytes of rabbits with delayed hypersensitivity to bovine gamma globulin. Using doses of 4 X 10(7) to 5 X 10(7) blood leukocytes (BL) as a source of EP, we found that ratios of about 5:1 of viable lymphocytes to BL were required to stimulate the BL to produce detectable amounts of EP in vitro. Both irradiated lymphocytes (1,700 R) as well as those from steroid-treated donors retained their ability to activate BL when incubated with antigen, properties consistent with activated "T" lymphocytes. In experiments to determine effects of temperature and duration of incubation on lymphokine release, the maximum EP-releasing activity was found to be present in supernatants of sensitized lymphocytes incubated with antigen for 18 h at 37 degrees C. These studies have confirmed that sensitized lymphocytes release a soluble, pyrogen-inducing lymphokine when incubated with antigen and further demonstrate that tissue macrophages (Kupffer cells) as well as BL can be activated to produce EP in vitro by this agent.
Antitumor activity of mycobacterial glycolipid A1
Authors: Reggiardo Z
Published: January 2020

Glycolipid A1 isolated from Mycobacterium bovis BCG, when dissolved in olive oil and injected together with Line 10 transplantable hepatoma cells, is able to elicit a host response which results in the abrogation or retardation of tumor growth in syngeneic guinea pigs. Glycolipid A1 does not have adjuvant activity for delayed type hypersensitivity, and antibodies to A1 have not been detected in the sera of guinea pigs during or after the tumor abrogation induced by A1 injection Glycolipid A1 does not share antigenic determinants with Line 10 cell lipid fractions. The possible role of the granuloma response elicited by A1 in controlling tumor growth is discussed.
Delayed-type hypersensitivity to rabies virus in mice: assay of active or passive sensitization by the footpad test
Authors: Lagrange P H , Tsiang H , Hurtrel B , Ravisse P
Published: January 2020

With a purified beta-propiolactone-inactivated rabies virus, a significant increase in footpad swelling was elicited in normal or in BCG-pretreated mice after immunization with varying doses of rabies vaccine. These footpad reactions were shown to peak at 24 h and to be associated with an infiltration of newly formed blood monocytes demonstrated by histology and [125I]deoxyuridine labeling. A relationship between the lymphoproliferation and the degree of sensitization is described, and the susceptibility to cyclophosphamide treatment is also examined. Adoptive transfer of specific reactivity to normal recipient mice with immune lymphoid cells, but not with immune serum, was demonstrated, and the results represent another argument for a cell-mediated immunological mechanism.
Effect of cortisol on the growth of Chlamydia trachomatis in McCoy cells
Authors: Bushell A C , Hobson D
Published: January 2020

The number of intracytoplasmic inclusions of Chlamydia trachomatis produced in McCoy cell monolayer cultures infected with a constant inoculum of a recently isolated genital strain was compared in cultures of untreated replicating cells and in monolayers which had been incubated in the presence of cortisol at initial extracellular concentrations between 0.0001 and 100 microgram/ml. The effect of adding cortisol was dependent on its concentration, on the time of addition to the tissue culture medium, and on the initial number of McCoy cells seeded to form the monolayer. When a concentration of 1.0 microgram/ml was added at the time of infection with C. trachomatis, the number of inclusions detectable after a further 48 h of incubation was increased by 1.84-fold over those detected in untreated cells. The mean size of inclusions and the ease of their recognition in McCoy cell cultures was also increased by this procedure.
Comparison of antigens of pneumonia-associated mycoplasma species by gel diffusion
Authors: Ball H J , Todd D
Published: January 2020

Comparison of fluorocarbon-extracted antigens of six mycoplasma species by double immunodiffusion and counterimmunodiffusion techniques revealed a close reciprocal relationship among Mycoplasma dispar, M. ovipneumoniae, and M. hyopneumoniae. A lesser degree of cross-reaction was also demonstrated between these three species and M. hyorhinis and M. bovoculi. The interrelationships were more clearly demonstrated by double immunodiffusion than by counterimmunodiffusion.
Antibody response to antigens distinct from smooth lipopolysaccharide complex in Brucella infection
Authors: Schurig G G , Jones L M , Speth S L , Berman D T
Published: January 2020

The smooth lipopolysaccharide complex of the outer surface of smooth Brucella abortus cells is believed to be the antigenic component involved in serological tests routinely used for the diagnosis of brucellosis. Sera from cattle vaccinated or infected with B. abortus generally contain antibody directed toward the smooth lipopolysaccharide complex. The brucella organism contains a large number of other antigenically distinct components. The biological significance of some of these antigens has been demonstrated by showing that sera from infected cattle have precipitins to these components. These sera revealed up to seven distinct lines in immunoelectrophoresis with a protein-rich antigen mixture prepared from rough strain B. abortus 45/20, whereas sera from strain 19-vaccinated cattle did not reveal these lines at 4 or more months after vaccination. Monospecific antisera were prepared against six antigens in this mixture, and the purification of two of them by antibody affinity chromatography is described.
Cold hemagglutinin cross-reactivity with Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Authors: Janney F A , Lee L T , Howe C
Published: January 2020

Convalescent sera from proven cases of infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and rabbit antisera to M. pneumoniae and to human erythrocyte glycoprotein contained cold hemagglutinins which were reactive only for human erythrocytes. Only the human serum cold agglutinins were inhibited by soluble integral glycoproteins derived from human erythrocyte ghosts by treatment with chloroform-methanol. Rabbit antiserum to chloroform-methanol glycoprotein, as well as to M. pneumoniae, fixed complement with either M. pneumoniae or chloroform-methanol glycoprotein antigens. The findings support the hypothesis that the cold agglutinins elicited by M. pneumoniae infection represent a cross-reaction between determinants common to erythrocyte glycoprotein containing I antigen and the membrane of M. pneumoniae.
Formation of antibody to matrix protein in experimental human influenza A virus infections
Authors: Cretescu L , Beare A S , Schild G C
Published: January 2020

Antibodies to type A influenza virus matrix protein (M) were assayed by single radial diffusion in 180 paired sera of volunteers challenged intranasally with live H3N2 viruses of varying degrees of virulence. Of these volunteers 20 had had severe clinical reactions (influenza-like); there had been 19 moderate reactions (lesser degrees of constitutional illness), and the remaining 141 reactions had been graded mild, very mild, or nil. Only 2 volunteers were shown to have antibodies to M in the pre-trial serum samples, and 11 developed anti-M rises after virus inoculation. Nine of the 11 had had severe reactions, and 2 had had moderate reactions. There was, therefore, a clear correlation between severity of clinical illness and anti-M antibody formation. In general, anti-M increases coincided with increases to the hemagglutinins and nucleoprotein, and with virus shedding. However, no anti-M antibody could be demonstrated in paired sera of 18 additional volunteers of whom 12 had developed severe reactions after the inoculation of virulent H0N1 and H1N1 influenza A viruses and of whom 12 had shown laboratory evidence of infection.
Prevalence of enterotoxigenicity in human and nonhuman isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica
Authors: Pai C H , Mors V , Toma S
Published: January 2020

A total of 414 cultures of Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from human and nonhuman sources were examined for heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) production to determine whether enterotoxigenicity was related to the source of isolation, serotype, or biochemical characteristics of the organism. A total of 65% of all cultures were found to produce ST. Enterotoxin production was much more prevalent in strains isolated from humans (218/232) than in those isolated from animals (17/34), water (9/49), raw milk (14/44), and food (10/55). Strains belonging to the serotypes O:3; 8; 5,27; 6,30; 9, often isolated from human infections, were almost always enterotoxigenic (191/196), although ST production was also highly prevalent among a few other serotypes. The most significant difference was observed between the groups that differed in the ability to ferment rhamnose; only 13 of 130 rhamnose-positive isolates produced ST (10%) compared to 255 of 284 rhamnose-negative cultures (90%). These results suggest that ST production is ubiquitous in Y. enterocolitica, with the highest prevalence among strains associated with human infections.
Association between cross-reacting Escherichia coli K100 and disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b
Authors: Ginsburg C M , McCracken G H , Schneerson R , Robbins J B , Parke J C
Published: January 2020

An unexpected association between Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) disease and simultaneous intestinal colonization with cross-reacting Escherichia coli K100 strains is reported. E. coli K100 were found in 18 of 92 (19.5%) HIB patients, compared with 2.5% in healthy individuals of comparable age and in none of 21 patients with meningitis caused by other bacteria. There was no difference in disease outcome, serum antibodies, and circulating HIB antigen between the E. coli K100-positive and -negative HIB patients. Possible explanations and implications of this association are discussed.
Immunodepression in Taenia crassiceps infection: restoration of the in vitro response to sheep erythrocytes by activated peritoneal cells
Authors: Miller K L , Good A H , Mishell R I
Published: January 2020

The in vitro response to sheep erythrocytes of mesenteric lymph node cells from mice infected with the larval cestode Taenia crassiceps is significantly depressed and can be restored to control levels by addition of activated peritoneal cells depleted of functional T or B lymphocytes. Adherent mesenteric lymph node cells from infected mice are unable to reconstitute the in vitro response to sheep erythrocytes of normal nonadherent cells. The responses of mesenteric lymph node cells from infected mice to the T-lymphocyte mitogens concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin and the B-lymphocyte mitogen lipopolysaccharide are normal. Mesenteric lymph node cells from infected mice do not suppress the in vitro response to sheep erythrocytes of normal mesenteric lymph node cells. These results suggest that the immunodepression in T. crassiceps-infected mice is primarily the result of alterations in functional accessory cells.
Comparison of antigenic heterogeneity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains by micro-immunofluorescence and serum bactericidal tests
Authors: Mark J A , Wang S P
Published: January 2020

The antigenic heterogeneity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains was assessed by the micro-immunofluorescence (micro-IF) and the serum bactericidal tests. The micro-IF test verified the antigenic heterogeneity of nine strains received from the Center for Disease Control and placed them into immunotypes A and B. The serum bactericidal system also detected different antigenic determinants among the strains. Although the micro-IF and bactericidal assays did not correspond in each instance, the overall pattern of similarities and differences among these gonococcal strains was similar. The micro-IF pattern obtained with mouse antisera was identical to the pattern revealed with guinea pig antisera. Different colony type organisms showed similar sensitivity in the bactericidal test. The micro-IF test is a rapid technique for the immunotyping of N. gonorrhoeae and has the additional advantages of reproducibility and simplicity.
Neutralization of Clostridium difficile toxin by Clostridium sordellii antitoxins
Authors: Chang T W , Gorbach S L , Bartlett J B
Published: January 2020

Neutralization of Clostridium difficile toxin by Clostridium sordellii antitoxin was studied by cytotoxicity assay in tissue culture. The sources of toxin were stools from two patients with pseudomembranous colitis and a culture filtrate of C. difficile isolated from one of the patients. C. sordellii antitoxin was available either in monovalent form or as gas gangrene polyvalent antitoxin. The potency of antitoxins against C. difficile determined by cytotoxicity assay did not correlate with the established values reported for mouse protection tests against C. sordellii toxin. An equivalent zone of optimal neutralization was demonstrated for stool toxin, and a slightly different one for culture toxin. The rate of neutralization appeared to be instantaneous, either at 24 or at 37 degrees C. The efficacy of antitoxin in preventing cytotoxicity in cultured cells preexposed to toxin decreased rapidly with preexposure time. The union between toxin and antitoxin could be readily dissociated by simple dilution or by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by dissociated by simple dilution or by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by dilution. Continued incubation of toxin-antitoxin mixture did not increase the firmness of the union; on the contrary, more dissociation occurred. The unusual looseness of the toxin-antitoxin union is probably relatd to lack of serological specificity or affinity. Based on these observations, a practical diagnostic method for antibiotic-induced colitis is outlined.
Differences in hydrophobic surface characteristics of porcine enteropathogenic Escherichia coli with or without K88 antigen as revealed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography
Authors: Smyth C J , Jonsson P , Olsson E , Soderlind O , Rosengren J , Hjertén S , Wadström T
Published: January 2020

Porcine enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains possessing or lacking K88 antigen were studied by using hydrophobic interaction chromatography on cross-linked agarose gels with alkyl or aryl substituents (amphiphilic gels) to determine whether or not they possessed surface-associated hydrophobic properties. Strains with K88ab or K88ac antigen adsorbed to phenyl and octyl Sepharose gels in the presence of 4 M sodium chloride. This property correlated with phenotypic expression of K88 antigen. Cells grown at 37 degrees C but not those grown at 18 degrees C possessed hydrophobic adsorptive characteristics in addition to the property of mannose-resistant hemagglutination of guinea pig erythrocytes. Adsorption of K88-positive strains to gels with hydrophobic ligands was independent of O group and enterotoxicity. Strains lacking K88 antigen did not adsorb to the hydrophobically substituted derivatives of Sepharose and lacked mannose-resistant hemagglutinating characteristics. Neither the presence of additional polysaccharide K antigens nor nonhemagglutinating pili conferred the property of hydrophobic interaction on the strains. K88-positive bacteria had a lower electrophoretic migration rate than did K88-negative bacteria of the same serotype in free-zone electrophoresis. K88-positive bacteria also adsorbed strongly to hydrophobic ligands in the presence of 1 M ammonium sulfate, whereas K88-negative strains did not. These observations provide evidence for the suspected role of hydrophobic interaction in the adhesive properties of certain enteropathogenic strains of E. coli. Moreover, hydrophobic interaction chromatography provides convenient and rapid alternative means of screening strains for a property potentially associated with adhesiveness.
Effects of Injected Iron and Siderophores on Infections in Normal and Immune Mice
Authors: Kochan Ivan , Wasynczuk John , McCabe Martha A.
Published: January 2020

The fate of virulent and avirulent strains of
Salmonella typhimurium
in untreated and iron-injected mice and in transferrin-containing media demonstrated a direct relationship between bacterial virulence and the ability of bacteria to acquire transferrin-bound iron. Effects of injected iron on the development of infections with virulent and avirulent bacterial strains were determined in normal and immune mice by determinations of bacterial numbers in tissue homogenates and the mortality of infected animals. Results showed that infected and iron-injected mice died much more rapidly and frequently from overwhelming infections than infected and saline-injected mice. The infection-promoting effect of iron varied with the degree of bacterial virulence; the more virulent the bacteria, the more helpful was iron for the development of lethal infections. Siderophores promoted lethal infections in mice infected with virulent but not with avirulent bacteria. Experiments with vaccinated animals showed that iron exerted a deleterious effect on acquired immunity. Immune mice infected with virulent bacteria and injected with iron developed lethal infections as rapidly and nearly as frequently as similarly treated normal mice. Siderophores did not promote the development of lethal infections in immune mice. The effectiveness of iron, but not of siderophores, to promote bacterial infections in vaccinated mice revealed that acquired immunity is dependent upon the activity of an iron-neutralizable antibacterial system.
Synthesis, transport, and secretion of plasma proteins by the livers of control and Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected rats
Authors: Little J S
Published: January 2020

The synthesis, intracellular transport, and secretion of plasma proteins by the liver was studied in both control and Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected rats. Rats were injected with [3H]leucine; at various time intervals, the components of the intracellular secretory system were isolated. The isolation and partial characterization of rough microsomes, smooth microsomes, and Golgi from both control and infected animals are described. After infection, the specific activity of the label in the homogenate and in all isolated cell fractions was significantly increased. In both control and infected animals, the kinetics of labeling suggested that the secretory pathway of the newly synthesized protein was from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi and finally to the circulation. Even though infected animals synthesized, transported, and secreted significantly more plasma protein, infection did not significantly alter the secretion time (time between injection of isotope and appearance of labeled protein in the circulation). It is concluded that, after S. pneumoniae infection, the liver still maintains its capability to perform the basic functions of protein synthesis, intracellular transport, and secretion and that newly synthesized plasma protein follows the same intracellular pathway in both control and S. pneumoniae-infected rats.
Role of Colonization in the Virulence of
Actinomyces viscosus
Strains T14-Vi and T14-Av
Authors: Brecher Stephen M. , van Houte Johannes , Hammond Benjamin F.
Published: January 2020

Germfree rats fed a high-sucrose diet were inoculated with
Actinomyces viscosus
strain T14-Vi (virulent) or T14-Av (avirulent). The mean recovery of strain T14-Vi from six extracted finely ground molars of rats sacrificed after 90 days was 1.1 × 10
8
colony-forming units (CFU). The mean recovery of strain T14-Av was 5.7 × 10
7
CFU, which was significantly less. Strain T14-Vi caused severe alveolar bone loss, but only minimal bone loss occurred in rats infected with strain T14-Av. Scanning electron microscopy of teeth of germfree rats revealed that strain T14-Vi colonized in the fissures as well as on tooth surface areas near the gingiva; strain T14-Av also colonized in fissures but was unable to colonize the teeth near the gingiva. In studies with conventional rats fed a high-sucrose diet, streptomycin-resistant strain T14-Vi colonized on the teeth of all rats inoculated with in the order of 10
8
or 10
7
CFU and on the teeth of about half of the rats inoculated with 10
6
or 10
5
CFU. In contrast, streptomycin-resistant strain T14-Av could not be detected on the teeth of any of the rats in groups similarly inoculated. In vitro “resting” cells of both strains suspended in conventional or germfree rat saliva survived to comparable degrees. [
3
H]thymidine-labeled T14-Vi cells adhered well to hydroxyapatite (HA) beads and to HA beads pretreated with saliva obtained from germfree or conventional rats. In contrast, T14-Av cells adhered less well than did T14-Vi cells to HA, whereas their adherence to saliva-coated HA was negligible. Transmission electron microscopy of negatively stained T14-Vi and T14-Av cells repeatedly passed in 1% phosphotungstic acid revealed fibrils on cells of both strains. T14-Av cells were covered by large amounts of extracellular material which was presumably heteropolysaccharide; little extracellular material was present on the surface of T14-Vi cells. T14-Vi cells had a relatively low affinity for the heteropolysaccharide synthesized by strain T14-Av. Other evidence also suggested that this polysaccharide had a relatively low affinity for saliva-coated HA. Collectively, the evidence indicates that the difference in periodontopathic potential between strains T14-Vi and T14-Av results from their different abilities to colonize teeth. This difference is probably due to the lower adherence of T14-Av cells to teeth rather than to their ability to grow in the mouth. The low affinity of T14-Av cells for tooth surfaces may be due, in part, to the presence of large amounts of cell-surface-associated polysaccharide.
Comparison of various macrophage-inhibitory agents on vaginal and systemic herpes simplex virus type 2 infections
Authors: McGeorge M B , Morahan P S
Published: January 2020

Pretreatment of mice intraperitoneally with silica, trypan blue, or dextran sulfate to inhibit macrophage function markedly increased the lethality of a systemic intravenous infection with herpes simplex virus type 2, but did not affect the lethality or local virus growth after vaginal infection of mice with herpes simplex virus type 2. Agents which inhibit macrophage function by different mechanisms decreased host resistance to herpes simplex virus type 2, but the effects of macrophage-inhibitory agents may vary according to the route of virus infection.
Comparative studies of five heat-labile toxic products of Escherichia coli
Authors: Konowalchuk J , Dickie N , Stavric S , Speirs J I
Published: January 2020

Five heat-labile, partially purified toxic products of Escherichia coli were distinguished by isoelectric focusing, molecular weight, and neutralization with homologous and heterologous antisera. Only two affected the morphology of Y-1 cells, induced fluid accumulation in rabbit ileal loops, and stimulated production of cyclic AMP in Vero cells; these two did not cross-neutralize and only one showed cross-neutralization with cholera antitoxin. The remaining three products were cytotoxic for Vero cells.
Characterization of the cross-reaction between type 19F(19) and 19A(57) pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides: compositional analysis and immunological relation determined with rabbit typing antisera
Authors: Krishnamurthy T , Lee C J , Henrichsen J , Carlo D J , Stoudt T M , Robbins J B
Published: January 2020

The immunological relation, physicochemical characteristics, and chemical composition of type 19F(19) and 19A(57) within the cross-reactive group 19 pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides were studied. By using rabbit hyperimmune diagnostic antisera in agglutination, immunodiffusion, quantitative precipitation, and absorption assays, extensive cross-antigenicity and cross-immunogenicity were demonstrable between the disease-associated types 19F(19) and 19A(57). Types 19B(58) and 19C(59), rarely associated with human disease, were extensively cross-reactive with each other but reacted weakly with types 19F(19) and 19A(57). Both types 19F(19) and 19A(57) polysaccharides contained trace amounts of protein and nucleic acid and had comparable molecular sizes as determined by gel filtration. Compositional analysis showed type 19F(19) to contain rhamnose, glucose, N-acetylmannosamine, and a phosphate ester. Type 19A(57) contained these four moieties, and in addition, contained fucose, galactose, and N-acetylglucosamine. Plans for using this information to evaluate current and proposed formulation of multivalent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines are discussed.
Immunoglobulin G to virus-specific early antigens in congenital, primary, and reactivated human cytomegalovirus infections
Authors: Gerna G , Cereda P M , Cattaneo E , Achilli G , Revello M G
Published: January 2020

Immunoglobulin G antibody to human cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific early antigens (EA-Ab) was determined by the immunoperoxidase antibody technique in several cases of congenital, primary, and reactivated CMV infections. Mothers of congenitally infected infants and a group of leukemic children and pregnant women were also studied. In 11 cases of congenital infection, CMV EA-Ab was always associated with CMV excretion whether immunoglobulin M antibody was present or not. Nine mothers of congenitally infected infants had CMV EA-Ab for several months after delivery, but association with CMV elimination was not established when urine and/or saliva were tested for virus isolation. In all nine cases of primary CMV infection, CMV EA-Ab was present, and in five its detection was associated with CMV isolation. In one case, disappearance of EA-Ab occurred when virus excretion ceased. In five cases of reactivated CMV infections, a consistent association between CMV EA-Ab and virus isolation was found. Six of 31 leukemia children had CMV EA-Ab, and virus was isolated from 3 of these. Four of 28 pregnant women showed EA-Ab in their serum, but tests for isolation were not done. These data suggest that CMV EA-Ab is not a marker of a current primary CMV infection, as previously reported, but a marker of an active CMV replication which can take place in primary as well as in congenital and reactivated CMV infections.
Modification of surface composition of Actinomyces viscosus T14V and T14AV
Authors: Powell J T , Fischlschweiger W , Birdsell D C
Published: January 2020

The morphology and serology of Actinomyces viscosus T14V and T14AV were compared. When grown in supplemented tryptic soy broth, the virulent strain (T14V) possessed an extensive network of cell surface fibrils. In this medium, the avirulent strain (T14AV) possessed a microcapsule, absent on strain T14V, and a comparatively small number of surface fibrils. Mild acid extraction (Lancefield procedure) solubilized common antigenic components on both strains as well as components detectable only in the virulent strain T14V (virulence-associated antigens 1 and 2). When grown in Socransky chemically defined medium or Carlsson complex medium, the avirulent strain possessed increased amounts of surface fibrils and virulence-associated antigens. Whole cells and extracts of avirulent cells grown in Socransky medium absorbed antibodies to virulence-associated antigens with approximately the same efficiency as did whole cells and extracts of strain T14V, suggesting antigenic similarity between the two cell types. The results strongly support the hypothesis that observable differences between A. viscosus strains T14V and T14AV represent quantitative, rather than qualitative, differences in particular cell surface components. In addition, the magnitude of these differences can be modified by changing growth conditions.
Anticomplementary activity of tuberculin: relationship to platelet aggregation and lytic response
Authors: Rourke F J , Fan S S , Wilder M S
Published: January 2020

Experiments were performed to examine the interaction of tuberculin with platelets and complement. Hemolytic complement titrations show that tuberculin consumes complement in human, rabbit, and guinea pig serum. Evidence in support of classical pathway activation was provided by observation of C1 consumption and failure to detect significant conversion of alternative pathway factor B to B by immunoelectrophoresis. Platelets in plasma from guinea pigs deficient in the fourth component of complement were not affected by tuberculin. However, studies on platelet aggregation in plasma chelated with ethyleneglycolbis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid indicated that tuberculin may initiate sluggish activation of the alternative pathway. That the reaction between tuberculin and platelets is a lytic one was evidenced by observing the release of the cytoplasmic enzyme lactic dehydrogenase and efflux of rubidium-86. Studies with C6-deficient rabbits indicated that platelet release of exogenously supplied tritiated serotonin is caused by platelet lysis.