bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antigenic relationships among immunoglobulin A1 proteases from Haemophilus, Neisseria, and Streptococcus species
Authors: Lomholt H , Kilian M
Published: January 2020

To investigate the antigenic variation and relationships of immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) proteases among different species and genera, we examined a comprehensive collection of serine type and metallo-type IgA1 proteases and corresponding antisera in enzyme neutralization assays. Sharing of neutralizing epitopes of metallo-type IgA1 proteases from Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus oralis and of serine type IgA1 proteases from Haemophilus and pathogenic Neisseria species was extremely limited. A number of limited to strong cross-reactions in such epitopes were found among serine type IgA1 proteases released by members of the genera Haemophilus and Neisseria, reflecting the common origin of their iga gene. However, the relatively limited prevalence of shared "neutralizing" epitopes of IgA1 proteases from the two genera indicates that they rarely induce immunity to each other. In contrast, extensive sharing of neutralizing epitopes was found between N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae IgA1 proteases, making them potentially attractive vaccine components. Among metallo-type IgA1 proteases, several pneumococcal proteases were found to induce neutralizing antibodies to IgA1 proteases of oral streptococci whereas the opposite was not the case.
Human and guinea pig immune responses to Legionella pneumophila protein antigens OmpS and Hsp60
Authors: Weeratna R , Stamler D A , Edelstein P H , Ripley M , Marrie T , Hoskin D , Hoffman P S
Published: January 2020

We studied the immune responses of guinea pigs and humans to two Legionella pneumophila antigens. Guinea pigs surviving a lethal intraperitoneal challenge dose of virulent L. pneumophila exhibited strong cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions to purified OmpS (28-kDa major outer membrane protein) and Hsp60 (heat shock protein or common antigen), while weak DTH reactions were noted for extracellular protease (major secretory protein [MSP] [ProA]) and no reaction was observed with an ovalbumin (OA) control. Lymphocyte proliferation responses (LPRs) were measured for peripheral blood and spleen lymphocytes from guinea pigs surviving sublethal and lethal challenge doses of L. pneumophila. Lymphocytes from uninfected animals showed no proliferation to Hsp60 or OmpS, while lymphocytes from sublethally and lethally challenged animals exhibited strong proliferative responses to Hsp60 and OmpS. Guinea pigs vaccinated with purified OmpS exhibited low antibody titers and strong DTH and LPRs to OmpS, whereas lymphocytes from animals vaccinated with Hsp60 exhibited weak DTH responses and high antibody titers to Hsp60. All guinea pigs immunized with OmpS survived experimental challenge with L. pneumophila (two of two in a pilot study and seven of seven in trial 2) versus zero of seven OA-immunized controls (P = 0.006 by Fisher's exact test). In three vaccine trials in which animals were vaccinated with Hsp60, only 1 guinea pig of 15 survived lethal challenge. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from humans with legionellosis showed stronger LPRs to OmpS than PBLs from humans with no history of legionellosis (P = 0.0002 by Mann-Whitney test). PBLs of humans surviving legionellosis exhibited a lower but highly significant proliferative response to Hsp60 (P < 0.0001 compared with controls by Mann-Whitney test). These studies indicate that OmpS and Hsp60 are important antigens associated with the development of protective cellular immunity. However, as determined in vaccine trial studies in the guinea pig model for legionellosis, the species-specific antigen OmpS proved much more effective than the genus-common Hsp60 antigen.
Cell association and invasion of Caco-2 cells by Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Russell R G , Blake D C
Published: January 2020

Adherence and invasion studies were conducted in monolayers of Caco-2 cells. Three-day-old monolayers were inoculated with Campylobacter jejuni 81-176 at a bacterium/cell ratio of 1,000:1. Saturation studies demonstrated time- and dose-dependent saturation curves for C. jejuni cell association and invasion into Caco-2 cells. Electron microscopy revealed intracellular C. jejuni located within membrane-bound vacuoles. Cell association and invasion were inhibited by 0.3 and 0.5 M concentrations of various sugars, including D-glucose, D-mannose, and D-fucose. However, there was no inhibition with the corresponding L-sugars, indicating physiological specificity. The inhibition of cell association with phloridzin was less pronounced. There was no inhibition of bacterial entry with monodansylcadaverine or g-strophanthin, indicating that it was unlikely that coated-pit formation is important in the invasion of C. jejuni into Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, there was no inhibition with cytochalasin D, vincristine, or vinblastine. Inhibition of cell association was demonstrated at 4 degrees C. Significantly decreased cell association and invasion were seen in potassium-depleted cells. Treatment of cells with bromelain also caused reduction in the number of C. jejuni binding to cells. A nonmotile aflagellate variant of C. jejuni also showed reduced invasion. The results of this study are consistent with energy-dependent invasion mechanisms. The results do not support an endocytic method of invasion for C. jejuni into Caco-2 cells.
Abortion and subsequent excretion of chlamydiae from the reproductive tract of sheep during estrus
Authors: Papp J R , Shewen P E , Gartley C J
Published: January 2020

Chlamydia psittaci serovar 1 infection in pregnant sheep typically causes abortion or the birth of weak lambs. Eight sheep that experienced chlamydia-induced abortion during their first pregnancy were successfully rebred yearly for the past 2 years. Chlamydia-specific lipopolysaccharide was detectable for approximately 3 weeks in vaginal swabs taken from the experimentally infected sheep following abortion. There was no evidence of chlamydiae in vaginal, placental, or neonatal samples obtained immediately after each subsequent successful pregnancy. Sera collected from the experimentally infected sheep had persistent, high antibody levels to C. psittaci, suggesting continued exposure of the immune system to the organism. Examination of vaginal specimens obtained during various stages of the estrus cycle revealed detectable levels of chlamydiae only when the animal was near ovulation. Chlamydiae were not detected in swabs from sheep that did not experience abortion. Enhanced chlamydial excretion during the periovulation period of sheep may provide sufficient stimulation of the immune system to account for the persistent antibody response. Furthermore, the association between estrus and chlamydial shedding has important implications for transmission of infection to other ewes during breeding.
Serum-induced potentiation of tumor necrosis factor alpha production by human monocytes in response to staphylococcal peptidoglycan: involvement of different serum factors
Authors: Mattsson E , Rollof J , Verhoef J , Van Dijk H , Fleer A
Published: January 2020

Peptidoglycan from a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain, isolated from a patient with septicemia, was preincubated with human serum. This mixture was then investigated for its potency to induce tumor necrosis factor (TNF) secretion by human blood monocytes. TNF was measured in the supernatants by using a bioassay and/or an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for TNF alpha (TNF-alpha). Although earlier studies indicated that staphylococcal peptidoglycan alone is a relatively poor stimulator of TNF-alpha production, the present study shows that human serum highly potentiates peptidoglycan-induced TNF-alpha release by human monocytes. In the presence of serum and in the low-dose range, peptidoglycan was almost as potent as endotoxin. At high peptidoglycan concentrations, monocytes showed an extremely high TNF-alpha response, but again only in the presence of serum. At low peptidoglycan doses, the stimulatory effect of serum was abrogated by heat treatment or depleting serum of complement components C1 and C3/C4, which suggests a role for the classical complement pathway. At high doses of peptidoglycan, the serum stimulatory effect depended mainly on immunoglobulin G.
Vibrio cholerae non-O1 serogroup associated with cholera gravis genetically and physiologically resembles O1 E1 Tor cholera strains
Authors: Hall R H , Khambaty F M , Kothary M H , Keasler S P , Tall B D
Published: January 2020

Until recently, only Vibrio cholerae strains of the O1 serogroup have been associated with epidemic cholera. In December 1992, an outbreak of cholera gravis in Vellore, India, was attributed to a new serogroup of V. cholerae recently designated O139. Serogroup O139 cholera has since spread to 13 countries and has reached pandemic proportions. Serogroup O139 cholera evades immunity to O1 cholera and is not detected by the standard O1 antigen test. Understanding the origins of O139 cholera and determining the relatedness of O139 to O1 cholera are necessary to device strategies for detecting, reporting, and controlling this new pandemic. In order to determine the origins of this novel cholera serogroup, O139 was analyzed for virulence genes, for virulence proteins and their regulation, and for its genomic background. We found that O139 and O1 V. cholera strains of the E1 Tor biotype possess highly homologous virulence genes encoding cholera toxin and toxin-coregulated pili and that the regulation of virulence protein expression likewise was indistinguishable between O139 and O1. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed the restriction digest pattern of O139 strains to be closely related to that of O1 serogroup E1 Tor biotype cholera strains from the Indian subcontinent. However, PFGE showed minor differences among individual O139 cholera isolates, suggesting that O139 V. cholerae is evolving.
Molecular and idiotypic analysis of antibodies to Cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan
Authors: Casadevall A , DeShaw M , Fan M , Dromer F , Kozel T R , Pirofski L A
Published: January 2020

Antibodies to the Cryptococcus neoformans capsular glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) form the basis of two potential therapeutic intervention strategies, i.e., conjugate vaccines and passive antibody therapy. To better understand the molecular basis of the antibody response, the heavy- and light-chain immunoglobulin variable region (VH and VL, respectively) sequences of seven monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to GXM were determined. Rabbit anti-idiotypic serum was made to the previously characterized murine MAb 2H1 and used to study MAb 2H1 idiotype expression in other GXM-binding MAbs and immune sera. MAb E1 originated from a C3H/HeJ mouse immunized with C. neoformans serotype A polysaccharide. MAbs 471, 1255, 339, 3C2, 386, and 302 originated from BALB/c mice immunized with polysaccharide of serotypes A, A, B, C, D, and D, respectively, conjugated to sheep erythrocytes. In the E1, VH uses V11 from the T15 gene family and JH3 and has a D segment of three amino acids, and the VL uses a VKSer-like gene family element and JK5. In MAbs 471 and 3C2, the VH uses VH7183-like gene family elements and JH2 and has D segments of seven amino acids, and the VL uses VK5.1 and JK1. In MAbs 1255 and 339, the VH uses VH10-like gene elements and JH4 and has six codon D segments, and the VL uses a VK21-like gene element and JK5. In MAbs 302 and 386, respectively, the VH uses VHGAM-like gene elements and JH2 and JH3 and has six and four codon D segments, and VL uses VK4/5-like gene elements and JK1.VH usage, MAb 2H1 idiotype expression, and fine specificity mapping define a minimum of three GXM epitopes which elicit protective antibodies. The results confirm that the antibody response is highly restricted, suggest a close relationship between molecular structure and serological properties, and provide insight into protein structural motifs important for GXM binding.
Formation and Destruction of Internal Membranes in L Cells Infected with
Chlamydia psittaci
Authors: Stokes Gerald V.
Published: January 2020

L cells (mouse fibroblasts), uninfected and infected with
Chlamydia psittaci
(meningopneumonitis strain), were labeled with
14
C-amino acids, and their membranous organelles were separated by isopycnic equilibrium centrifugation of whole cell homogenates on discontinuous sucrose density gradients. Incorporation of labeled amino acids into host and parasitic proteins was differentiated on the basis of susceptibility to cycloheximide. Twenty hours after infection with
C. psittaci
, incorporation of newly synthesized proteins into the internal membranes of L cells was almost completely inhibited, and internal membranes made prior to infection were altered or destroyed. The unit membrane that at all times surrounds the cytoplasmic vacuole containing the multiplying chlamydiae was made by the host from membranes or membrane precursors present before infection. No proteins synthesized by
C. psittaci
became associated with host cell membranes. Destruction or modification of the internal membranes of the host cell may be an integral part of the chlamydial developmental cycle.
Treponeme Outer Cell Envelope: Solubilization and Reaggregation
Authors: Johnson Russell C. , Wachter Madeleine S. , Ritzi Donna M.
Published: January 2020

Exposure of the avirulent Kazan 5 treponeme to low concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate (1.4 m
m
) results in the solubilization of the outer envelope. Maximal reaggregation of the outer envelope preparation requires cations, and cation concentration affects both the yield and structure of the aggregates. The reaggregated outer envelope preparation can be resolubilized with the chelating agent, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, or with sodium dodecyl sulfate.
Common Enterobacterial Antigen III. Initial Titers and Antibody Response in Bacteremia Caused by Gram-Negative Bacilli
Authors: McCabe William R. , Johns Margaret , DiGenio Teresa
Published: January 2020

Antibody titers to common enterobacterial antigen (CA) were determined in 141 controls and in acute serum specimens from 206 patients with bacteremia caused by gram-negative organisms. Levels of antibody to CA ranged from 1:160 to 1:2,560 in 95% of control subjects. These levels did not differ significantly from those in acute serum specimens from bacteremic patients with “nonfatal underlying diseases.” Patients with more severe underlying diseases, “ultimately fatal underlying diseases,” tended to have lower titers of antibody to CA. Human antibody to CA was predominantly of the 19S variety. A fourfold change in antibody titer to CA was observed in convalescent serum obtained after bacteremia in 32% of 108 patients studied. Correlation of titers of antibody to CA in acute serum specimens with the frequency of occurrence of shock or death failed to demonstrate any protective activity of antibody to CA. These complications occurred equally as often in patients with high titers of antibody to CA as in those with low titers.
Host Cell Range and Growth Characteristics of Bovine Parvoviruses
Authors: Bates R. C. , Storz J.
Published: January 2020

In assessing the host cell range of bovine parvoviruses, these viruses were found to replicate optimally in actively dividing bovine fetal lung and spleen cells. Other primary bovine fetal cells supported growth to a lesser extent, but bovine line cells and line cells of other animal species tested did not. Minimal infectivity remained after passage of bovine parvovirus in cells from chicken embryos and guinea pig fetuses. During bovine parvovirus replication in bovine fetal lung and spleen cells, production kinetics of infectious virus and hemagglutinins were determined. An eclipse period of 16 h occurred, and viral release from cells was not detected until 30 h after inoculation of bovine fetal lung cells and 36 h after inoculation of bovine fetal spleen cells. Cell-associated virus titers were always higher than extracellular virus titers. Hemagglutinins were detected in parallel to infectious virus.
Effect of Various Viruses on the Responsiveness of Mouse Lymphocytes to Phytohemagglutinin Stimulation
Authors: Olson George B.
Published: January 2020

A comparison of viral-induced unresponsiveness of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis of mouse lymphocytes was made by culturing the cells under identical conditions in the presence of HEPES buffer in a humid-air atmosphere. The degree of PHA-induced DNA synthesis was found to vary, depending upon the type of ribonucleic acid or DNA virus treatment. Myxovirus, paramyxoviruses, Mengo virus, leukemic viruses, herpesvirus, and vaccinia virus caused a depression in responsiveness, whereas lactic dehydrogenase virus, adenovirus, and polyoma virus induced an increase in DNA synthesis. Inhibition of DNA synthesis was significant only if the virus was added at 0 h or within the first 12 h after PHA stimulation. Time studies indicated that leukemic and nonleukemic viruses caused similar patterns in the alteration of PHA-induced DNA synthesis.
Characterization of Mutants of
Salmonella typhimurium
by Counter-Current Distribution in an Aqueous Two-Polymer Phase System
Authors: Stendahl O. , Magnusson K.-E. , Tagesson C. , Cunningham R. , Edebo L.
Published: January 2020

An aqueous, two-polymer phase system was employed in an attempt to separate and characterize a series of R mutants, derived from
Salmonella typhimurium
395 MS, with differing lengths of lipopolysaccharide chains on their surfaces. R mutants with varying degrees of virulence and phagocytic resistance were unresolved in this system. However, the smooth MS bacteria were clearly separated from the rough cells and showed a high affinity for the polyethylene glycol-rich top phase. A uridine 5′-diphosphate-
gal
-4-epimeraseless mutant, phenotypically in R or S form depending on the growth medium, partitioned as the R mutants and S bacteria, respectively. These results demonstrate the great influence of long polysaccharide chains on the physicochemical properties of the cell surface.
Structure and Immunological Specificity of the
Streptococcus mutans
Group b Cell Wall Antigen
Authors: Mukasa Hidehiko , Slade Hutton D.
Published: January 2020

The
Streptococcus mutans
group b antigen of strain FA1 has been defined as to chemical composition and immunological specificity. The antigen in cold trichloroacetic acid extracts was fractionated on diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A-25 at pH 8.5. Two forms were isolated: a polysaccharide and a mucoprotein. The two polymers reacted as a single substance in agar gel diffusion against specific adsorbed FA1 rabbit antisera but were separated by gel immunoelectrophoresis. No reaction with any other
S. mutans
or streptococcal group sera occurred. Galactose composed about one-third and galactosamine about 3% of the total weight of each polymer. Rhamnose was a major component of the polysaccharide (47%) but was present only in traces in the mucoprotein. The protein content of the latter was about 40%. No significant quantities of glycerol, phosphorus, or muramic acid were present in either case. Pepsin and trypsin had no effect on the serological specificity of the mucoprotein.
d
-Galactose and
d
-galactosamine were strong inhibitors (70%) of the precipitin reaction, whereas
d
-glucose,
d
-glucosamine, and
N
-acetyl-
d
-glucosamine inhibited between 25 and 35%. The results indicate that the antigen is a major antigenic component of the cell wall and that the specificity of the antigen resides in binding sites which contain both
d
-galactose and
d
-galactosamine. Agglutination of whole cells by specific group b antiserum indicates the antibody receptor sites of the polysaccharide antigen are at the surface of the streptococcal cell. The mucoprotein, but not the polysaccharide, was released from the cell by lysozyme. Lysis did not occur. The immunological specificity and other characteristics of the antigen establishes it as the identifying antigen of
S. mutans
group b.
Depressed Cell-Mediated Immunity in Newborn Rabbits Bearing Fibroma Virus-Induced Tumors
Authors: Tompkins W. A. F. , Schultz R. M. , Rao G. V. S. V. Rama
Published: January 2020

Tumors were induced in adult and newborn rabbits by inoculation of fibroma virus. Whereas tumors completely regressed in adult rabbits by 3 weeks after virus inoculation, newborn rabbits supported tumor growth for 3 to 4 weeks. In the latter case, some animals died at this time, others survived with a gradual regression of the tumors over an additional period of 5 to 6 weeks. Virus neutralization studies demonstrated antibodies to fibroma virus in the serum from both adult and newborn tumor-bearing rabbits. Newborn rabbits with progressively growing tumors failed to elicit a delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to fibroma antigens, whereas adult rabbits showed strong reactions as early as 7 days after tumor induction. Similarly, macrophage migration inhibition tests revealed that the lymphocytes from newborn rabbits with progressively growing tumors were only weakly reactive to fibroma antigens, as compared to lymphocytes from adult tumorbearing rabbits. In contrast, newborn rabbits that survived and regressed the tumors demonstrated strong cell-mediated immunity both by skin testing and migration inhibition. Virus growth studies in cell culture demonstrated that fibroma was unable to replicate in peritoneal macrophages from either newborn or adult rabbits. No differences were observed in growth of the virus in macrophages from tumor-bearing rabbits. The significance of these observations is discussed in respect of the possible role of cell-mediated immunity in fibroma tumor regression.
Specificity of a BCG-Induced Pulmonary Granulomatous Response in Rabbits
Authors: Moore Vernon L. , Myrvik Quentin N. , Leake Eva S.
Published: January 2020

The specificity of Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG)-induced accelerated pulmonary granuloma formation has been evaluated in rabbits by cross sensitization-challenge experiments by using another granulomagenic organism,
Corynebacterium granulosum
. BCG-sensitized rabbits responded to challenge with homologous but not heterologous antigen, indicating that BCG-induced accelerated granuloma formation displays specificity characteristic of immunological reactions. These differences were also observed in local pulmonary delayed hypersensitivity, as determined by the migration inhibition test. The relationship between local pulmonary delayed hypersensitivity and the accelerated granulomatous response is discussed.
Interferon Sensitivity of Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus
Authors: Jordan George W.
Published: January 2020

Two strains of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus, which differ in virulence for mice, have been studied for their production of and sensitivity to chick and mouse interferon. Little interferon was produced by chick cells in response to the virulent Trinidad strain or the attenuated TC-83 strain without either aging or priming the cultures. Consistent differences in the production of chick interferon were not found between the two strains. Plaque variants of the Trinidad strain produced higher titers of mouse interferon than the TC-83 strain in both primed and control L-cell cultures. The TC-83 strain was found to be more sensitive than the Trinidad strain to the inhibitory effects of interferon. The greater sensitivity of the TC-83 strain was observed at both high and low multiplicities and for both chick and mouse interferons. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that interferon sensitivity may have a role as a determinant of virulence in some virus-host systems.
Hemagglutination-Inhibition Test in Rhinovirus Infections of Volunteers
Authors: Reed Sylvia E. , Hall T. S.
Published: January 2020

The hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test for antirhinovirus antibody was carried out on paired sera from volunteers inoculated with rhinovirus type 3 or type 4 (RV4). The HI test gave results which paralleled the neutralization test and was at least as sensitive as a microneutralization method for detection of serotype-specific antibody. Although high levels of HI antibody in the serum were associated with protection from infection, in the case of RV4 low serum HI antibody levels did not necessarily imply susceptibility to challenge with small doses of virus. HI activity could be measured in concentrated nasal-washing fluids, and this antibody also seemed relevant to protection against infection.
Surface Markers on Lymphocytes of Patients with Infectious Diseases
Authors: Aiuti Fernando , Ciarla Maria V. , D'Asero Carmelo , D'Amelio Raffaele , Garofalo John A.
Published: January 2020

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal subjects and patients with viral and bacterial infectious diseases were examined for the presence of three surface markers: (i) surface immunoglobulins, (ii) receptor for C3 complement component (EAC test), and (iii) spontaneous binding of sheep red blood cells (E rosette formation). The first two markers are used to detect bone marrow-derived lymphocytes (B cells); the E rosette formation is dependent on thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells). We demonstrated these assumptions, as defined by others, by the fractionation of lymphocytes on bead columns coated with immunoglobulin plus anti-immunoglobulin. The peripheral blood lymphocytes of normal individuals consisted of 52% T cells, 23% B cells with EAC receptor, and 21% B cells with membrane immunoglobulin. There was no significant difference in these values from those obtained in viral or bacterial diseases. Only a few cases of infectious mononucleosis had an increase in T cells. These results give us a partial picture of the T- and B-cell frequency in normal subjects and in patients with infectious diseases.
Type-Specific Inhibition of Preopsonization Versus Immunoprecipitation by Streptococcal M Proteins
Authors: Beachey Edwin H. , Cunningham Madeleine
Published: January 2020

Purified M protein of group A streptococci inhibits in vitro phagocytosis of bacteria nonspecifically when it is mixed directly with the test blood. We devised a method of preopsonization inhibition that avoids direct contact between the test blood and the opsonic inhibitory agent. Each of the M proteins tested by this method inhibited opsonization and phagocytosis of only homologous-type streptococci. Titration of the M antigen in various purified preparations demonstrated a clear dissociation between titers of type-specific precipitating M antigen and type-specific opsonic inhibitory M antigen. Since opsonization reflects protective antibody, assays of M protein based on reaction with opsonic antibody should reflect more accurately the presence of the type-specific M determinant involved in protective immunity against streptococcal infections.
Partition of
Salmonella typhimurium
in a Two-Polymer Aqueous Phase System in Relation to Liability to Phagocytosis
Authors: Stendahl O. , Tagesson C. , Edebo Margareta
Published: January 2020

Analysis of the partition in a two-polymer phase system of
Salmonella typhimurium
R mutants with different susceptibility to phagocytosis distinguished between the mutants. Close to 80% of the R mutants least resistant to phagocytosis accumulated in the dextran-rich phase, whereas more phagocytosis-resistant mutants showed higher affinity for the interface and the polyethylene glycol-rich top phase. By growing the uridine diphosphate (pyro)-gal-4-epimeraseless mutant LT2-M1 in the presence of
d
-galactose for different periods of time, two well-defined peaks were obtained in counter-current distribution analysis with an aqueous two-polymer phase system revealing a heterogeneous population in the culture. One peak was located at a site characteristic of R bacteria, the other at the site of S bacteria. As growth proceeded, more bacteria transferred from the R-type to the S-type peak. Within each peak, a gradual increase in resistance to phagocytosis by rabbit polymorphonuclear cells occurred with increasing length of growth in
d
-galactose.
Immunoglobulin and Histamine-Sensitivity Response of Mice to Live
Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Geller Bernard D. , Pittman Margaret
Published: January 2020

Mice injected intranasally (it.n.) and intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a nonlethal dose (2.5 × 10
5
colony-forming units) of live
Bordetella pertussis
were examined for 50 days for infection, respiratory tract immunoglobulins (Ig), changes in serum Ig, and histamine sensitivity. With mice infected it.n., respiratory infection markedly declined between day 20 and day 30. Ig classes (A, G
1
, G
2a
, G
2b
, but no M), which had specificity for
B. pertussis
, were present in tracheobronchial wash (TBW) by day 15; by day 50, TBW immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoretic precipitin bands were more intense. A sharp rise in serum IgA after day 30 was the only significant change relative to controls among the five serum Ig examined. A high degree of histamine sensitivity developed by day 15 to 20 and persisted for the 50 days. With mice inoculated i.p., no bacteria were recovered, no Ig or only traces were found in TBW and IgA only was specific, and no significant changes in the serum Ig relative to controls occurred. Histamine sensitivity developed somewhat more slowly and to a lesser degree than in it.n.-injected mice but persisted for the 50 days. A similar small number of killed bacteria (pertussis vaccine) injected it.n. or i.p. likewise induced slowly developing histamine sensitivity in contrast to published reports of 4 to 5 day peak sensitivity and decline following i.p. injection of 10
9
or more killed bacteria.
Purification of Exfoliatin Produced by
Staphylococcus aureus
of Bacteriophage Group 2 and Its Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Kondo Isamu , Sakurai Susumu , Sarai Yasunaga
Published: January 2020

An effective method for the isolation and purification of exfoliatin which has been recently reported by Melish and others as the staphylococcal toxin responsible for the scalded skin syndrome and the physicochemical properties of the purified toxin were described. From an active crude toxin produced by one of the clinical isolates of phage group 2, four types of toxic proteins which were all capable of causing the typical Nikolsky sign in neonatal mice were obtained and designated A, B, C, and D toxins. They had a molecular weight of about 24,000 and showed the same serological features in neutralization and precipitation tests, but were different from each other in showing a different single band with their respective mobilities in polyacrylamide disk electrophoresis. They were precipitated between pH 4.0 and 4.5 and lost their exfoliative capabilities. The resulting precipitates, however, could be solubilized in acetate buffer containing 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate, restoring their toxicities to almost the same extent as before. They were all stable when heated at 60 C for 60 min and at 100 C for 20 min, but lost their toxicities when heated at 100 C for 40 min. Additionally, the present authors observed that some staphylococcal strains not belonging to the typical phage group 2, isolated from patients with the scalded skin syndrome, were also capable of producing a similar but serologically unrelated exfoliative toxin.
Australia Antigen: Persistence of Immunological Markers (d, y, w) in Antigen Carriers
Authors: Mazzur Scott , Blumberg Baruch S.
Published: January 2020

It is important to establish the stability of Australia antigen subtypes in chronic carriers in order to evaluate the validity of using immunological determinants as long-term epidemiological markers. In this study sequential blood samples containing Australia antigen from 31 chronic carriers were typed for determinants d, y, and w. The subjects included asymptomatic carriers from Rongelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands, Down's syndrome patients, and renal patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. The period of time between blood samples extended from 3 months to 11 years. In no case did the subtype change within any individual. It appears from these data that the Australia antigen subtypes are good long-term markers for epidemiological studies.
Studies of the Antigenic Relationships of the New Human Papovaviruses by Electron Microscopy Agglutination
Authors: Penney John B. , Narayan Opendra
Published: January 2020

Virus-antibody interactions observed by electron microscopy show that new human papovavirus isolates are antigenically distinct, but share common antigens.
Three Characteristics Associated with Enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
Isolated from Man
Authors: Evans Doyle J. , Evans Dolores G.
Published: January 2020

In Dacca, Bangladesh, potent enterotoxin-producing
Escherichia coli
were isolated from many hospital cases of acute cholera-like diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic (tox
+
) and non-enterotoxigenic (tox
−
) isolates of
E. coli
were used to investigate possible means of differentiating tox
+
E. coli
from those (tox
−
) of the normal flora. The majority (81%) of the tox
+
E. coli
studied were found to be negative for sucrose fermentation, 85% exhibited retarded growth in a peptone medium at pH 8.5, and 92% released large amounts of ammonium sulfate precipitable materials into culture supernatant fluids; 66.6% exhibited all three of these properties. For the tox
−
group the respective values were found to be 50%, 31%, and 34%; only 9.3% exhibited all three properties. These results indicate that it may be possible to use phenotypic characteristics other than antigenic composition and enterotoxin production for the identification of enterotoxigenic
E. coli.
Relative Immunogenicity of Streptomycin-Sensitive and -Resistant Strains of BCG
Authors: Collins F. M. , Montalbine V.
Published: January 2020

Normal, specific pathogen-free mice were vaccinated intravenously with increasing amounts of a streptomycin-resistant variety of BCG Tice (BCG SM
R
). The behavior of BCG SM
R
in the lungs, liver, and spleen was followed quantitatively for up to 50 days. One or two intravenous doses of 10
6
viable organisms were steadily eliminated from the tissues without producing detectable tuberculin sensitivity or raising resistance to a subsequent challenge with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strain Erdman. But mice receiving six weekly injections of 10
6
viable BCG SM
R
or a single injection of 10
6
BCG SM
R
by the intravenous route did develop effective levels of antituberculous resistance. Heat inactivation of the BCG SM
R
inoculum removed the organism's protective activity which could, however, be restored by incorporation of the organisms into Freund adjuvant. The ability of living BCG SM
R
to induce an effective antituberculous resistance when introduced into the tissues in an appropriate manner is discussed in terms of the mechanism of antituberculous immunity.
Ribosomal Vaccines II. Specificity of the Immune Response to Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid and Protein Isolated from
Salmonella typhimurium
Authors: Johnson William
Published: January 2020

Ribosomal proteins isolated from
Salmonella typhimurium
were effective in inducing immunity in mice. This immunity was specific since animals immunized with ribosomal proteins from
S. typhimurium
were not protected against challenge with
S. cholerae-suis
or
S. enteritidis.
Immunity was evident as early as 5 days after immunization. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA) failed to provide any effective immunity in mice. Polyinosinic acid: polycytidylic acid (poly I: C) induced a rapid, short-lived immunity to all three
Salmonella
species. In contrast, ribosomal RNA failed to elicit any rapid nonspecific response to infection.
Measurement of Antibody-Reactive Toxin Antigen During Experimental Staphylococcal B Enterotoxemia
Authors: Normann Sigurd J.
Published: January 2020

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) injected intravenously is rapidly cleared from the circulation and deposited in tissues. Type-specific antiserum administered after toxin has left the circulation can influence the course of enterotoxemia, and this observation suggests that toxin antigens may either be returned to the circulation or reside on cell surfaces readily available to antibody. If SEB toxin or its fragments regain access to the extracellular space, they might react with circulating antibody and be detected and quantitated by the reduction in antibody titer. Accordingly, 1 h after toxin or saline injection, animals were given type-specific enterotoxin B antiserum, and the difference in titers between the animals was used to compute the amount of enterotoxin immediately available to antibody. Further, by measuring differences in titers over a 48-h period, an estimate was made of the amount of SEB antigen that gained access to antibody. The data indicate that rats, which are relatively resistant to the lethal effects of enterotoxin, clear toxin from the circulation promptly and that very little toxin reenters the circulation. Monkeys, who are highly susceptible to SEB, also clear toxin promptly. However, in contrasts to rats, monkeys have greater quantities of SEB immediately available to antibody and in addition return significant quantities of toxin antigens to the extracellular space.
Serology of
Streptococcus sanguis:
Localization of Antigens with Unlabeled Antisera
Authors: Lai Chern , Listgarten Max , Rosan Burton
Published: January 2020

A new technique for the electron microscope localization of bacterial surface antigens, using unlabeled antisera, has been developed. This technique, called the “immuno-coating reaction” was applied to serological studies of
Streptococcus sanguis
, using antisera which had been shown to be specific for this species by gel diffusion analysis. The results of the immuno-coating reaction confirmed the specificity of the antisera for
S. sanguis.
In addition, the data indicate that some of the antigens responsible for the reaction were proteins which formed filamentous processes on the surface of the cell.
Comparative Dynamics of Salmonella Infection After Primary and Secondary Challenge of Mice Exposed to 10 and 23 C
Authors: Previte Joseph J. , Alden J. C. , Egbert M.
Published: January 2020

Mortality of mice increased significantly as a result of cold exposure when the animals were challenged orally with
Salmonella typhimurium
, strain RIA. As reported earlier, cold exposure alone did not kill control animals nor did oral challenge at room temperature. No differences were apparent in the number of
Salmonella
per gram of liver-spleen, colon, or lung between groups of infected mice housed at 23 and 10 C. The number of bacteria increased equally in liver-spleen samples during the period of increasing mortality in the group housed at 10 C and the period of overt illness in those housed at 23 C. The ability to clear the bloodstream of a secondary intravenous challenge did not seem to be impaired by cold exposure. The bacterial load in the spleen and the rate of change in weight of that organ was equal in animals given a secondary challenge at 10 or 23 C. However, the absolute spleen weight was less in the cold-exposed group as was survival when the secondary challenge was administered 3 days after the primary oral challenge. The studies indicate that endotoxin from
S. typhimurium
may sensitize mice to the lethal effects of cold exposure. The increase in mortality observed in cold-exposed, infected mice is not due to greater bacterial proliferation in these animals. Rather, the combined stress effects of the bacterial agent(s) and cold may link lympholytic effects to impaired detoxification and increased energy demands, which often leads to lethal vascular collapse in cold-exposed, infected mice.
Neutralization Kinetics Study of Selected Reoviruses
Authors: Munro Tommie F. , Wooley Richard E.
Published: January 2020

Neutralization kinetic rates were compared between five avian and three human reoviruses and their specific antiserums. Antigenic similarities were not noted between the human and avian reoviruses studied. Antigenic similarities were found between a reovirus isolated from a chicken with Marek's disease, and the Fahey-Crawley virus, avian arthritis virus, and a turkey reovirus isolate designated as BC-3. The Fahey-Crawley virus was found to be antigenically similar to BC-3.
Amplification of Migratory Inhibition Factor Production During the First 48 Hours of Exposure to Antigen
Authors: Philp James R. , Johnson Joseph E. , Spencer J. Craig
Published: January 2020

When lymphocyte-macrophage suspensions from sensitized animals are preincubated with specific antigen for 24 or more h, the following results are observed. (i) In a standard capillary macrophage migration test, there is complete inhibition of migration. (ii) When the preincubated cell suspension is mixed in varying proportions with a similar suspension from nonsensitized animals and a macrophage migration test is performed, there is no linear relationship between the degree of inhibition of migration and the proportion of sensitized lymphocytes initially present. Inhibition thus appears to be an “all-or-none” effect. (iii) In spite of the second observation, increasing periods of preincubation with antigen result in increasing inhibition. (iv) These results suggest the existence of a complex amplifying mechanism operating within the early period of exposure to antigen. (v) To test the possibility that cell proliferation contributes to this amplification, cells from sensitized guinea pigs were irradiated with a dose of 1,000 rads prior to preincubation with antigen. Despite this dose, which virtually abolishes cell division in other systems, no diminution whatever in the amplification of inhibition was observed. These results suggest the existence of an early phase of increased production of migratory inhibition factor that is not dependent on cell division but that may be related to “recruitment” of nonsensitized lymphocytes.
Mycoplasma-Associated Induction of Interferon in Ovine Leukocytes
Authors: Rinaldo Charles R. , Overall James C. , Cole Barry C. , Glasgow Lowell A.
Published: January 2020

A mycoplasmal species,
Acholeplasma laidlawii
, isolated as a contaminant from a fetal lamb kidney cell line, was shown to be associated with the induction of interferon in cultures of ovine peripheral blood leukocytes. Broth cultures of the mycoplasma induced between 20 and 230 U of interferon per ml in leukocytes from two adult ewes. The amount of interferon produced correlated with the inoculum size of mycoplasma. Interferon production was associated with replication of the mycoplasma in the leukocyte cultures. Interferon was not induced by sterile mycoplasmal broth, a cell-free filtrate of the mycoplasmal cultures, or heat-inactivated mycoplasmas. The antiviral substance was characterized as interferon by the usual criteria.
Polyarthritis Associated with
Salmonella
Infection in Rats
Authors: Volkman Alvin , Collins Frank M.
Published: January 2020

Rats infected intravenously with
Salmonella enteritidis
develop a chronic destructive polyarthritis. The joint lesions resemble those of human rheumatoid arthritis in distribution and pathology. On the basis of histological and microbiological studies, involvement does not appear to be the result of intra-articular sepsis. Instead, the data favor the view that transient infection incites an immunological response that localizes in the joint and becomes destructive.
Growth of
Pasteurella multocida
in Vaccinated and Normal Mice
Authors: Collins F. M.
Published: January 2020

Specific pathogen-free CD-1 mice are highly susceptible to infection by
Pasteurella multocida
strain 5A whether introduced intravenously, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, or aerogenically. The growth of the challenge organism in the blood, liver, spleen, lung, and peritoneal cavity was quantitated hourly for up to 12 h. Unvaccinated mice died 9 to 12 h after intravenous challenge due to the uncontrolled growth of the organism in all tissues tested. The rate of removal of the bacteria from the blood and of phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophages was extremely slow. In the absence of specific opsonins, more than 90% of the unopsonized challenge inoculum remained in the extracellular growth phase throughout the challenge period. Vaccination of mice with two doses of 10
8
heat-killed (60 C for 60 min)
P. multocida
given 7 days apart protected the mice against 100 to 1,000 lethal challenge doses. Survival data and growth curves obtained for both actively and passively immunized mice indicated that a humorally mediated immune mechanism was involved. Peak resistance to challenge occurred 21 to 28 days after the mice received the second dose of antigen, and this correlated with an 8- to 16-fold increase in specific agglutinin titers over the same time. Resistance to aerogenic challenge by vaccinated mice was less effective than when other routes of infection were used. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Polysaccharides of the Genus
Bacillus
Cross-Reactive with the Capsular Polysaccharides of
Diplococcus pneumoniae
Type III,
Haemophilus influenzae
Type b, and
Neisseria meningitidis
Group A
Authors: Myerowitz Richard L. , Gordon Ruth E. , Robbins John B.
Published: January 2020

We studied 174 strains of the genus
Bacillus
for cross-reacting antigens to the capsular polysaccharides of groups A and C meningococcus, types I and III pneumococcus, and
Haemophilus influenzae
type b. Cross-reactions were detected by immunodiffusion in agarose gel by using type-specific antisera and confirmed by absorption and inhibition experiments. Of 20
Bacillus pumilis
strains, six had an antigen cross-reacting with group A meningococcal polysaccharide. Other cross-reactions included one strain of
B. pumilis
with
H. influenzae
type b, one of
B. cereus
var.
mycoides
with pneumococcus type III, and one of
B. alvei
with both type b and SIII polysaccharides. These cross-reacting antigens are polysaccharides of vegetative cells and may be extracellular in location. Because these bacilli have antigens cross-reacting with the virulence factors of pyogenic bacteria, they may, as normal flora, be an antigenic stimulus for “natural” serum anti-capsular antibodies to the type b
Haemophilus
and group A meningococcus polysaccharides.
Bacteroidaceae
in Thromboembolic Disease: Effects of Cell Wall Components on Blood Coagulation In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Bjornson H. S. , Hill E. O.
Published: January 2020

The effects of
Bacteroides
sp.,
Fusobacterium mortiferum, Bacteroides fragilis
, and
Sphaerophorus necrophorus
on various parameters of blood coagulation in vivo and in vitro were determined and compared to the coagulation effects of
Escherichia coli
and
Salmonella minnesota
, wild type and R595. Intravenous injection of washed cells, culture filtrate, lipopolysaccharide, or lipid A of the anaerobic gram-negative microorganisms into mice resulted in acceleration of coagulation. Lipopolysaccharide and lipid A of the anaerobic microorganisms had no apparent effect on circulating platelets in mice or rabbits and did not cause aggregation of human platelets in vitro. Washed cells, lipopolysaccharide, and lipid A of
Bacteroides
sp. and
F. mortiferum
also significantly accelerated the clotting time of recalcified platelet poor normal human plasma and C6-deficient rabbit plasma. Lipid A, but not lipopolysaccharide, of
E. coli
and washed cells of
S. minnesota
R595 accelerated coagulation by a similar mechanism. These results indicated that
Bacteroides
sp. and
F. mortiferum
can accelerate blood coagulation in vivo and in vitro by a mechanism which does not involve platelets or terminal components of complement.
Studies on Toxinogenesis in
Vibrio cholerae
II. An In Vitro Test for Enterotoxin Production
Authors: Vasil Michael L. , Holmes Randall K. , Finkelstein Richard A.
Published: January 2020

An Elek test for enterotoxin-producing strains of
Vibrio cholerae
is described. Thirty-five out of 37 strains of classical
V. cholerae
produced positive reactions, but only 1 of 69 E1 Tor vibrio strains was reactive. Tox(−) mutants of
V. cholerae
were also unreactive in the Elek test.