bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Purification and properties of Klebsiella pneumoniae heat-stable enterotoxin
Authors: Klipstein F A , Engert R F
Published: January 2020

The enterotoxic material in cell-free growth preparations of Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype 5 was purified by sequential ultrafiltration and gel filtration (GF) procedures and the fractions were assayed for enterotoxic activity by determining their ability to induce in vivo net water secretion in the rat jejunum. Whole-cell lysates were inactive. Anaerobic broth culture conditions yielded a 10-fold increase in toxin production over aerobic conditions. Enterotoxic activity was absent in the UM-10 retentate of the broth filtrate but present in both the retentate and filtrate of the UM-2 membrane. GF of the two UM-2 ultrafiltration fractions through a Sephadex G-25 column yielded an active eluate, whose potency was increased by 10- or 200-fold, in or adjacent to the void volume. When subsequently passed through a G-50 column, these pools eluted at a Kav of between 0.4 and 0.6 and were further increased in potency by two- or fivefold. A second equally potent fraction was also recovered in the void volume of the G-50 eluate of the UM-2 filtrate; this may represent a polymer. Progressive purification by GF was associated with an increased protein and decreased carbohydrate content of the most active fractions. The most active G-50 eluate of the UM-2 retentate had a minimal effective enterotoxic dose of 5 mug/ml and that of the filtrate was less than 0.1 mug/ml. Heating the active GF eluates to 100 C for 30 min did not abolish enterotoxic activity and lowering the pH to 1 or incubation with either Pronase or trypsin had no effect on activity. These observations indicate that K. pneumoniae heat-stable enterotoxin is probably a single toxin with an apparent molecular weight in the range of 5,000. The elution characteristics during GF as well as the chemical composition of the most purified enterotoxin fractions indicate that the toxin is not associated with endotoxin.
Isoprinosine augmentation of phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation
Authors: Hadden J W , Hadden E M , Coffey R G
Published: January 2020

The need for agents designed to modify immune response in the treatment of patients with viral infection, immunodeficiency, or cancer prompted the present study on the mechanisms of action of isoprinosine, a compound developed for antiviral use and whose therapeutic activity may involve the immune system. The effect of isoprinosine on in vitro proliferation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and on lymphocyte levels of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate was analyzed. Over a concentration range from 0.2 to 250 mug/ml, isoprinosine augmented PHA-induced proliferation; maximal stimulation was observed between 25 to 50 mug/ml. Isoprinosine in the absence of PHA had no effect on proliferation. The relative lack of effect of isoprinosine during a 90-min exposure and the lack of effect on lymphocyte cyclic nucleotide levels indicate that isoprinosine potentiates the PHA response by a mechanism different than a number of hormonal agents and such immunopotentiators as levamisole, polyadenylic-acid, and endotoxin. Further evaluation of isoprinosine as an immunopotentiator is indicated.
Antigens of group A streptococci involved in passive hemagglutination reactions
Authors: Bisno A L , Ofek I , Beachey E H
Published: January 2020

Antibodies to streptococcal extracellular products were detected in rabbit sera by passive hemagglutination tests as early as 1 week after intravenous injection of live group A streptococci (strain C203S). Using these antibodies in immunoadsorbent columns, we prepared an antigenic fraction from crude concentrates of streptococcal extracellular products. The specific activity of this fraction in sensitizing glutaraldehyde-treated erythrocytes for passive hemagglutination tests and in absorbing passive hemagglutination antibodies from immune sera was increased by 80-fold and at least 24-fold, respectively, as compared with crude extracellular products. The fraction has been found to contain at least three serologically active antigens, which are of considerable interest because: (i) they gave rise to early and consistent immune responses both in humans and in experimental animals; (ii) they appear so far to be produced only by beta-hemolytic streptococci; and (iii) antibodies to these antigens are present in high titers in patients with acute rheumatic fever. Our data suggest that passive hemagglutination antigens may be distinct from those extracellular enzymes and hemolysins ordinarily employed in streptococcal serological studies.
Effect of estradiol on immune competence: in vivo and in vitro studies
Authors: Kenny J F , Pangburn P C , Trail G
Published: January 2020

The administration of a single dose of 2.5 mug of microcrystalline estradiol-17 beta from 1 day before and up until 3.5 days after the administration of 3 X 10(5) heat-killed Escherichia coli significantly increased numbers of splenic anti-E. coli antibody-producing cells in male mice sacrificed 4 days after receiving anitgen. Administration early in the proliferative phase of antibody production, i.e., 1 day before or 1 day after the antigen, appeared to increase numbers of antibody-producing cells more than when it was administered at a later time. When given 2 days before the antigen or 2 h before sacrifice no effect was observed. Spleen cells harvested from male animals injected 3 days before with 5 X 10(6) heat-killed E. coli were incubated for 24 h in vitro with estradiol in concentrations ranging from 5 pg to 20 ng/ml. With concentrations of 500 pg to 5,000 pg/ml, significant increases in antibody-producing cells occurred, whereas at concentrations of 20 ng/ml some decrease was observed. The increase in antibody-producing cells was blocked by a mitotic inhibitor. Significant changes in numbers of antibody-producing cells were not observed after a 2-h incubation period. Uptake of titrated thymidine was increased in thymic and spleen cells incubated for 24 h with 500 pg of estradiol per ml; a concentration of 20 ng/ml slightly (but insignificantly) decreased uptake. Findings suggest that estradiol, in concentrations that approximate physiological serum levels in females, enhances mitosis of immunocompetent cells. This phenomenon may have bearing on the better immunological responsiveness of females than males.
Virulence factors involved in the intraperitoneal infection of adult mice with Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Eubanks E R , Guentzel M N , Berry L J
Published: January 2020

Nonmotile mutants of Vibrio cholerae isolated from Ogawa, Inaba, and El Tor strains were less virulent than parent wild types when administered to adult mice intraperitoneally. The cells were suspended in 5% hog gastric mucin. Antitoxic immunity did not protect mice against this type of challenge, but a ribosomally derived vaccine did. Intraperitoneal injection of 10 50% lethal doses of enterotoxin (based on intravenous doses) was without toxic manifestations as were 10(10) heat-killed vibrios similarly administered, regardless of strain. Virulent organisms killed with formalin or ultraviolet irradiation were significantly lethal at a dose of 10(10) cells. Mice made tolerant to endotoxin were protected from death caused by an injection of 3 X 10(10) boiled cells, but they did not survive an injection of formalin-killed cells. It is believed that the cause of death in this animal model of cholera is dependent, at least in part, on a toxic heat-labile moiety closely associated with the vibrios.
Chemical and biological properties of extracellular slime produced by Staphylococcus aureus grown in high-carbohydrate, high-salt medium
Authors: Brock J H , Reiter B
Published: January 2020

Slime material produced by three strains of Staphylococcus aureus grown in the high-carbohydrate, high-salt modified 110 medium contained ribitol teichoic acid and, in two of the three strains, a basic protein reacting with antisera to S. aureus whole cells and cell walls. The basic protein differed chemically and serologically from cell wall mucopeptide and protein A. Substances resembling the capsular antigen of the Smith diffuse strain of S. aureus were not detected, nor were any other uronic acid-containing components. When cell walls, slime material, and teichoic acid were injected intradermally into cows, only cell walls produced a skin reaction.
Subcutaneous multiplication of exfoliatin-producing staphylococci
Authors: Kapral F A
Published: January 2020

After subcutaneous inoculation of approximately 10(6) cocci, changes in staphylococcal populations were followed by the enumeration of organisms in excised tissues. In contrast to conventionaal Staphylococcus aureus strains, exfoliatin-producing strains were able to multiply in the subcutaneous tissues of neonatal and adult mice. Although strains capable of producing large quantities of exfoliatin were better able to proliferate than strains producing lesser amounts of toxin, it was not determined whether exfoliatin was directly responsible for the observed multiplication. Two variants exhibiting a partial loss in exfoliatin production showed minor changes in proliferative capability. A third strain, after being cured of its exfoliatin plasmid, manifested a marked reduction in exfoliatin production and was unable to multiply subcutaneously. With some strains multiplication proceeded for several hours but was then followed by a decline in the number of viable organisms. Histological sections of subcutaneous lesions revealed a rapid influx of neutrophils, but leukocytes accumulated in the region regardless of whether the organisms multiplied or were eliminated.
Cytotoxic effects of leukocidin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa on polymorphonuclear leukocytes from cattle
Authors: Scharmann W
Published: January 2020

The cytotoxic action of leukocidin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied in vitro by following the release of various intracellular markers from polymorphonuclear leukocytes from cattle (PMLC). Low-molecular markers (K+, 86Rb+, glucose) were lost from PMLC within 1 to 2 min after the addition of leukocytes. The release of high-molecular-weight indicators (51Cr, bound to intracellular protein; lactate dehydrogenase) occurred only after swelling of the cells, leading to an increased permeability of the plasma membrane. Calcium ions stimulated the leakage of granule enzymes but retarded or inhibited the release of cytoplasmic markers. At 4 C, leukocytes were unaffected by the toxin. Leukocidin, bound at 4 C to leukocytes and treated with antiserum against leukocidin, did not damage the cells upon increasing the incubation temperature to 37 C.
Cross-reacting herpes simplex virus antigens in hamster and mouse cells transformed by ultraviolet light-inactivated herpes simplex virus type 2
Authors: Boyd A L
Published: January 2020

Murine and hamster cell lines, each transformed with a different strain of herpes simplex virus (HSV), were examined for cross-reacting antigens by in vitro and in vivo assays. A comparative study by the indirect immunofluorescence technique detected common cross-reacting viral antigens. Cytoplasmic fluorescence patterns were observed in the 333-8-9 hamster line, the H238 murine line, and the H238 clonal lines; these patterns were identical to the fluorescence pattern of HSV -2-infected controls when reacted with HSV antiserum. Tumor rejection studies in the BALB/c host indicated that each cell line provided immunity against a tumorigenic challenge of transformed mouse cells. The H238 clone EC1 3 provided a 53% immunity against itself at an inoculum of 10(6); the 333-8-9 line supported a 26% immunity. These data demonstrate a common HSV antigenicity between the murine and hamster transformed lines and further indicate that the HSV genome is involved in transformation.
Comparison of progenitor toxins of nonproteolytic with those of proteolytic Clostridium botulinum Type B
Authors: Miyazaki S , Kozaki S , Sakaguchi S , Sakaguchi G
Published: January 2020

A nonproteolytic strain of Clostridium botulinum type B produces two toxins of different molecular weight (16S and 12S) that are indistinguishable from the corresponding toxins of a proteolytic strain in molecular weight and construction but differ in potential toxicity, activation ratio, and hemagglutinability. Successful hybridization between the toxic and nontoxic components (both7S) of 12S toxins of biologically heterologous type B strains confirmed the physico-chemical similarity between the toxic as well as the nontoxic components.
Production of highly cross-reactive hemagglutination-inhibiting influenza antibodies in ferrets
Authors: Masurel N , Drescher J
Published: January 2020

Ferrets were sequentially infected at time intervals of 3 weeks with different influenza virus A strains. It was found that secondary infection can result in the appearance of antibodies highly cross-reacting with a virus strain closely related to the strain of first infection. Such highly cross-reacting antibodies were designated as HCR antibodies. Evidence is presented that HCR antibodies were not antineuraminidase antibodies and, in addition, were not specifically oriented to the strain with which the crossing was observed. When using time intervals of 3 weeks between infections, no increase after secondary infection of antibodies oriented to the strain of first infection was recorded. However, when time intervals of 4 to 5 months between infections were used, secondary infections resulted in an increase of antibodies oriented to the strain of first infection ("original antigenic sin") but not in the appearance of HCR antibodies. In addition, antibodies combining specifically with both infecting strains, designated as doubly specific antibodies, were found. Thus, the conclusion was reached that the original antigenic sin phenomenon and the appearance of HCR antibodies are mutually exclusive events.
Presence and subcellular localization of two distinct mitogenic fractions in the cells of Nocardia rubra and Nocardia opaca: preparation of soluble mitogenic peptidoglycan fractions
Authors: Ciorbaru R , Petit J F , Lederer E , Zissman E , Bona C , Chedid L
Published: January 2020

Fractionation of cells of Nocardia rubra and Nocardia opaca led to the separation of the cell wall and a "cytoplasmic" fraction. Both fractions were mitogenic for the splenocytes of AKR and nude mice and of rabbits. The peptidoglycan was the active part of the cell wall fraction. The products solubilized by the action of Streptomyces albus G peptidases on the peptidoglycan of N. rubra were mitogenic, but the products solubilized by lysoyme were not. Tentative structures are proposed for these fractions. The most active part of the cytoplasmic fractions could be sedimented by centrifugation and seemed to be related to the cytoplasmic membrane.
Antibody-mediated immobilization of Campylobacter fetus: inhibition by a somatic antigen
Authors: McCoy E C , Wiltberger H A , Winter A J
Published: January 2020

Immobilization tests were conducted on a wild-type strain of Campylobacter fetus subsp. intestinalis and on a mutant lacking an antiphagocytic cell surface component. Highly effective immobilization of the mutant, both as single cells and clumps of cells, was produced with an antiserum containing antibodies specific for the flagellar hook and filament and for the O antigen. Damage to flagellar hooks after reaction with this antiserum was observed only with cells of the mutant. Single-cell immobilization of the mutant was also produced with an antiserum specific for a heat-stable somatic antigen which was distinct from the O antigen and was exposed on the cell surface only of the mutant. Minimal immobilization of the wild strain was brought about by either of these antisera. It was shown also that O antibodies had no effect on the motility of either the wild strain or mutant. These findings indicate that antibody-mediated immobilization may be brought about by effects on the flagellar hook or cell body, as well as on the flagellar filament. Furthermore, the protection from immobilization afforded the bacterium by the antiphagocytic surface structure suggests a dual function for this virulence factor in the infected animal.
Presence of pili in species of human and animal parasites and pathogens of the genuscorynebacterium
Authors: Yanagawa R , Honda E
Published: January 2020

The presence of pili in human and animal parasites and pathogens of the genus Corynebacterium was examined. C. kutscheri, C. diphtheriae, and C. pseudodiphtheriticum possessed a fairly large number of pili, ranging from dozens to more than a hundred, in 91 to 100% of the bacterial cells. C. equi, C. hoagii, C. xerosis, C. pyogenes, and C. murisepticum had only a small number of pili in 10 to 37% of the bacterial cells. In C. bovis, C. striatum, and C. pseudotuberculosis, pili were detected in only 0.5% to 3% of the bacterial cells. The pili were similar to each other and to those of C. renale; they were not rigid and had a tendency to form bundles. The length of pili usually ranged from 0.2 to 3 mum, and their diameter was within a 2- to 6-nm range.
Partial purification and properties of Enterobacter cloacae heat-stable enterotoxin
Authors: Klipstein F A , Engert R F
Published: January 2020

Cell free preparations of the whole-cell lysate and ultrafiltration (UF) fractions of broth cultures of a strain of Enterobacter cloacae, isolated from a Puerto Rican with tropical sprue, were assayed for their ability to induce in vivo net water secretion in the rat jejunum. The whole-cell lysate and UM-10 retentate of broth cultures were inactive. The UM-2 retentate and filtrate were active at a concentration of 100 mug/ml or more; the toxigenic activity was entirely retained, and increased to 1 mug/ml, by a UM-05 membrane; washing this retentate yielded a fraction with an activity of 10 ng/ml. Stationary aerobic culture conditions yielded the most active UF fractions when ammonium sulfate was used as the precipitating agent, whereas anaerobic culture conditions produced the most active fractions in broth cultures precipitated by acetone. Passage of the active acetone-precipitated UF fractions through a Sephadex G-25 column yielded eluate pools with enhanced toxigenic activity in, or adjacent to, the void volume, but maximum activity of the ammonium sulfate-precipitated UM-05 retentate eluated at a Kav of 0.38 to 0.52. Neither of the most active gel filtration elution fractions of the UM-05 retentates contained detectable carbohydrate, suggesting that the toxin is not associated with endotoxin. Toxigenic activity was unaltered by exposure to a temperature of 100C for 30 min, lowering the pH to 1, or incubation with either Pronase or trypsin. These observations indicate that the strain of E. cloacae under study elaborates a heat-stable enterotoxin htat has approximately the same molecular weight and shares many of the characteristics of the heat-stable enterotoxin produced by some strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Counteraction of poly(4-vinylpyridine-n-oxide) on the depression of viral interferon induction by coal dust
Authors: Hahon N
Published: January 2020

The depressive activity of coal dust on interferon induction by influenza was markedly subverted when either coal dust or LLC-MK2 cell monolayers were pretreated with poly (4-vinylpyridine-N-oside). The polymer alone neither induced interferon synthesis, inhibited viral induction of interferon, influenced viral multiplication, nor affected cellular-induced resistance by interferon. Absorption of the polymer to coal dust not only occurred at a more rapid rate than to cell monolayers, but also less polymer was required to pretreat coal dust than cell monolayers to achieve comparable amelioration of interferon production. The polymer effectively negated the adverse activity of coal dust particles, irrespective of the latter's size (is less than 2.0 to 74.0 mum). Virus multiplication in the presence of coal dust=treated cell monolayers attained a level that was twofol higher than that noted with either polymer-pretreated coal dust or polymer-pretreated cell monolayers. Interferon production was almost completely inhibited in the presence of coal dust; pretreating coal dust or cells with the polymer abrogated this inhibitory activity of coal dust. It is tentatively suggested that coal dust particles per se directly interact with cell membranes to subvert interferon induction and that the formation of an absorbed polymerlayer on these complexes prevents their interaction.
Inhibition by zinc of hemolysis induced by bacterial and other cytolytic agents
Authors: Avigad L S , Bernheimer A W
Published: January 2020

Zinc, cupric, and cadmium ions, in that order of effectiveness, inhibited lysis of washed, rabbit erythrocytes by the toxic bacterial product aerolysin. Hemolysis induced by a variety of other lytic agents was also inhibited by Zn2+ in approximately the same concentration as that, 0.33 mM, needed to inhibit aerolysin-induced hemolysis. Zinc ions did not inhibit osmotic lysis. Inhibition requires the continues presence of Zn2+ and apparently involves a readily reversible binding of Zn2+ to the cell surface, which, it is postulated is accompanied by a reversible alteration in the state of the lipid bilayer.
Maturation of intestinal defenses against peroral infection with group B coxsackievirus in mice
Authors: Loria R M , Shadoff N , Kibrick S , Broitman S
Published: January 2020

The intestinal tract of adult mice provides effective protection against peroral infection with group B coxsackievirus. This protective function consists of at least two separate components. One is a barrier effect that prevents virus from passing through the mucosal side of the gut into the circulation. It becomes clearly evident at 18 days of life and is present thereafter. The other is a clearance mechanism that acts to eliminate virus from the enteric tract after infection has occurred. This is first demonstrable at about 14 to 18 days and also persists. The appearance of these protective functions coincides with the known development of enzymatic and morphological changes in the gut associated with the transition from suckling to weanling.
Different effects of phytohemagglutinin-activated lymphocytes and their culture supernatants on macrophage function
Authors: Ando M , Suga M , Shima K , Sugimoto M , Higuchi S
Published: January 2020

When rabbit peritoneal exudate cells were incubated for 24 and 48 h with phytohemagglutinin-activated lymphocytes or their culture supernatants, two times as many cells remained adherent to culture slides as in the controls. More spreading cells were found among the adherent cells in the stimulated cultures. Eighty percent of spreading cells that were induced by supernatants were negative or faintly positive for beta-galactosidase. On the other hand, half of the spreading cells induced by activated lymphocytes were positive (1+ to 4+) for beta-lymphocytes and their supernatants. Under similar conditions, unstimulated peritoneal cells showed less marked activation. These findings show that macrophages can appear morphologically activated and yet not be enzymatically activated by lymphokines. Possible mechanisms of direct interaction of activated lymphocytes and macrophages are discussed.
Efficacy of phosphonoacetic acid on herpes simplex virus infection of sensory ganglia
Authors: Wohlenberg C R , Walz M A , Notkins A L
Published: January 2020

Treatment of mice with phosphonoacetic acid markedly reduced the incidence of latent ganglionic infection with herpes simplex virus when administered within 24 h after viral inoculation, but had no effect on an already established ganglionic infection.
Streptococcus mutans dextransucrase: availability of disaggregated enzyme after growth in a chemically defined medium
Authors: Schachtele C F , Harlander S K , Germaine G R
Published: January 2020

The soluble dextransucrase (EC 2.4.1.5) activity produced by Streptococcus mutans strain 6715 during growth on a chemically defined synthetic medium (FMS) was compared to enzyme from glucose broth cultures (TSB). Growth on the two media was similar. The specific activity of ammonium sulfate-precipitated FMC enzyme was 17 times greater than similar TSB enzyme preparations. The FMC enzyme was stimulated 11-fold, whereas the TSB enzyme was stimulated 1.2-fold by the addition of exogenous primer dextran. In contrast to the TSB enzyme, the FMC activity could be disaggregated to a low-molecular-weight form by 1 M salt. Thus, low-molecular-weight S. mutans dextransucrase activity free of contaminating primer glucan may be readily obtained after growth of the bacterium in a chemically defined sucrose-free medium.
Significance of Circulating Capsular Antigen in Klebsiella Infections
Authors: Pollack Matthew
Published: January 2020

Klebsiella capsular antigen (KCA) was detected in serum by counterimmunoelectrophoresis in 8 of 31 patients with klebsiella bacteremia, in two nonbacteremic patients with pneumonia and meningitis, respectively, and in the cerebrospinal fluid only of 1 of the 31 bacteremic patients. It was also detected in cerebrospinal fluid, urine (two patients each) empyema fluid, and abscess drainage (one patient each). Patients whose bacteremias were associated with a discernible tissue focus (e.g., pneumonia) tended to have detectable serum KCA more often than those with “primary bacteremia.” A fatal outcome occurred in six of nine bacteremia patients with detectable serum KCA compared with 4 of 22 without demonstrable antigen (
P
< 0.05). Persistent antigenemia and antigenuria aided in the diagnosis of perinephric abscess in one patient, and increasing levels of serum KCA anticipated treatment failure in another patient with pneumonia. The presence of detectable KCA in the serum of patients infected with klebsiella thus appeared to correlate with severity of infection, with persistence of active foci, and with a poorer prognosis than in those patients who had no detectable antigen. Whether the presence of this antigen itself plays any pathogenic role needs to be further clarified.
Genetic analysis of lymphocyte activation by lipopolysaccharide Endotoxin
Authors: Sultzer B M
Published: January 2020

A genetic study of in vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis by the B-cell mitogen lipopolysaccharide endotoxin has been performed, using both low-responder C3H/HeJ mice and high-responder CBA/J mice. The crossbreeding of these strains produced F1 progeny that were intermediate in responsiveness. Responder types from the backcross of the F1 to the C3H/HeJ strain segregated into intermediate- and low-responder phenotypes, whereas intermediate- and high-responder phenotypes were produced from the backcross of the F1 to the CBA/J strain. The F2 generation consisted of all three responder phenotypes in frequencies that fit the classical Mendelian ratio of 1:2:1, indicating that the mitogenic response to lipopolysaccharide endotoxin in mice is most likely governed by a pair of autosomal co-dominant genes.
Immunogenicity of a purified and carrier-complexed streptococcal lipoteichoic acid
Authors: Fiedel B A , Jackson R W
Published: January 2020

Solublie teichoic acid could not stimulate the formation of antibodies either as an aqueous solution or in an emulsion with Freund incomplete adjuvant. However, when given as precipitates with methylated bovine serum albumin, it stimulated strong anti-teichoic acid responses. High levels of anti-teichoic acid antibodies usually resulted in allergic symptoms upon secondary challenge either with immunogenic teichoic acid-methylated bovine albumin complexes or with non-immunogenic soluble teichoic acid. These symptoms suggested anaphylatic shock, but probably also included the formation of complement-consuming immune complexes.
Effect of enterobacterial common antigen on mouse virulence of Salmonella typhimurium
Authors: Valtonen M V , Larinkari U M , Plosila M , Valtonen V V , Mäkelä P H
Published: January 2020

A series of nearly isogenic O4-12, and O-6,7 Salmonella typhimurium strains differing in regard to the enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) were constructed by conjugation. When tested in intraperitoneal infection of mice, the O-4,12 strains containing ECA were more virulent than their O-4,12 sister recombinants without ECA (P = less than 0.001). The same difference could be shown with ECA-positive and ECA-negative S. typhimurium derivatives, whose O antigens were of the group C type (O-6,7). The ECA-positive and ECA-negative O-4,12 strains did not differ in their growth rates in broth or clearance rates in vivo.
Inactivation of hemolytic complement in human serum by an acylated polysaccharide from a gram-positive rod: possible significance in pigeon-breeder's disease
Authors: Huis in 't Veld J H , Berrens L
Published: January 2020

In an attempt to identify the major complement-consuming heteropolysaccharides in pigeon excreta, a number of teichoic acids and lipoteichoic acids from gram-positive bacteria were examined as possible substitutes. Teichoic acids from the cell wall and membrane of Lactobacillus buchnerii were found suitable. Samples of freshly voided pigeon droppings were cultured under anaerobic conditions and the bacteria were identified, subcultured, and extracted with phenol-water. Cell wall and membrane antigens from isolated Lactobacillus species could replace pigeon excreta antigens in diagnostic complement consumption tests. Purification and chemical characterization indicated the major antigen from Lactobacillus in this respect to be an acylated heteropolysaccharide.
In vitro differentiation and pH sensitivity of field and cell culture-attentuated strains of transmissible gastroenteritis virus
Authors: Hess R G , Bachmann P A
Published: January 2020

Characteristics of four transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus field strains (Miller, Purdue, Bl, and V203) and four cell culture-attenuated strains (Purdue, SH, CKp, and Bl) were studied to find methods of differentiation between the two groups of viruses. TGE field virus strains did not replicate as well as attenuated strains at 37 C and could not be passaged serially for more than four to six passages at 33 C. There were clear differences in plaque size when the strains were compared. Field strains had average plaque sizes ranging from 3.59 to 3.15 mm, whereas attenuated strains induced plaques that were larger than 4.2 mm. Variations were observed in stability of strains at pH 3.0. Field strains and cell culture-attenuated strains CKp-270 and SH-114 were reduced in titer by about 1 log10. A reduction of about 3 log10, however, was obtained with cell culture strains B1-300 and Purdue-113.
Complement-mediated killing of Acholeplasma laidlawii by antibodies to various membrane components
Authors: Dörner I , Brunner H , Schiefer H G , Wellensiek H J
Published: January 2020

Mycoplasmas are useful models for biochemical studies of the mechanism of complement-mediated killing by antibodies to various membrane components. The purpose of this study was to determine the membrane antigens involved in immune killing of Acholeplasma laidlawii. Antibodies to A. laidlawii membrane total lipids, glycolipids, and phospholipids could be induced in rabbits after injection of reaggregates of the purified lipids with Mycoplasma hominis protein as the carrier. Killing of A. laidlawii membrane lipids were less effective than anti-membrane protein antisera in killing the organisms. Of the antisera to lipid components of A. laidlawii membranes, antiserum to phospholipids showed a more pronounced killing effect than antiserum to glycolipids. The antibodies to A. laidlawii in the rabbit antisera belong predominantly to the immunoglobulin G class of immunoglobulins. Double-diffusion tests in agar indicated that two immunologically reactive proteins are located on the membrane surface.
Antibodies to BK virus structural and tumor antigens in human sera from normal persons and from patients with various diseases, including neoplasia
Authors: Corallini A , Barbanti-Brodano G , Portolani M , Balboni P G , Grossi M P , Possati L , Honorati C , La Placa M , Mazzoni A , Caputo A , Veronesi U , Orefice S , Cardinali G
Published: January 2020

Sera from 1,279 patients with various diseases were examined for the presence of antibodies to BK virus (BKV) capsid antigens. The percentage of positive sera was comparable in all the diseases except rheumatoid arthritis and chronic nephropathies, where a slightly higher prevalence was found. Sera from 952 patients with tumors were examined for the presence of antibodies to BKV tumor and capsid antigens in comparison with a matched control group of 501 blood donors. Sera from 11 tumor patients (1.15%) and from 4 normal controls (0.80%) had antibodies to BKV tumor antigen. No higher prevalence of antibodies to BKV capsid antigens was found in any cancer type except in carcinomas of the urinary bladder, where the percentage of positive sera and of sera with high titers was higher than in other groups. BKV infection is discussed in relation to its possible connection with human non-neoplastic diseases as well as with human tumors and to its activation under conditions of immunosuppressive therapy.
Antigenic analysis of isolated polypeptides from Visna virus
Authors: Mehta P D , Lin F H , Thormar H
Published: January 2020

The antigenic activity of 10 Visna polypeptides separated by gel filtration in the presence of 6 M guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) was examined with rabbit antisera made specific for Visna virus. The results showed that the first (GuHCl 1) and the ninth (GuHCl 9) polypeptide peak reacted with the antisera when examined in immunodiffusion, passive hemagglutination, and complement fixation tests. Whole virus, GuHCl 1, and GuHCl 9, when tested with the antisera, appeared to be immunologically identical in the immunodiffusion test. However, GuHCl 1 reacted weakly with the antisera by all three techniques as compared with GuHCl 9 and whole virus. GuHCl 9, when subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis containing 0.1% sodium lauryl sulfate, revealed the presence of one polypeptide with a molecular weight of 25,000. By the same method, GuHCl 1 was found to contain an aggregate of four different polypeptides, the major one having a molecular weight of 25,000. The results indicate that the antigenic activity of both GuHCl 1 and GuHCl 9 was associated with a single polypeptide having a molecular weight of 25,000.
Gastrointestinal candidiasis in rats treated with antibiotics, cortisone, and azathioprine
Authors: DeMaria A , Buckley H , von Lichtenberg F
Published: January 2020

Conventional albino rats treated with peroral chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and/or parenteral cortisone were challenged with Candida albicans Antibiotics and cortisone were equally effective in predisposing the animals to colonization by the fungus. All animals treated with both antibiotics and cortisone developed defined, focal, superficial invasion of the cornified squamous epithelium of the stomach next to its junction with the glandular mucosa, as well as focal superficial invasion of the esophagus. Equivalent yeast cell and mycelial inocula of C. albicans were equally effective in producing colonization and invasion of the gut. Dissemination of the fungus from the gut was not found even after the addition of azathioprine to the treatment regimen; however, such addition did predispose to more extensive and severe lesions of the esophagus and stomach. Approximately 25% of infected cortisone- and antibiotic-treated rats developed agglutinins against C. albicans by 22 to 23 days after challenge, whereas 15% developed precipitins. The antibiotic-cortisone-treated rat may be a useful and consistent experimental model in the study of gastrointestinal candidiasis.
Bacterial competition as a means of preventing neonatal diarrhea in pigs
Authors: Davidson J N , Hirsh D C
Published: January 2020

Baby pigs orally inoculated with a porcine strain of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (K88+,Ent+) showed signs of depression, severe diarrhea, and, in some instances, death. Few, if any, signs of illness occurred if baby pigs were first inoculated with a K88 possessing non-enterotoxin-producing strain of E. coli.
Distribution of T and B lymphocytes in lymphoid tissue of infants and children
Authors: Neiburger J B , Neiburger R G , Richardson S T , Grosfeld J L , Baehner R L
Published: January 2020

Normal lymphoid tissue from children undergoing elective surgery was examined for T and B lymphocyte distribution. Although established for peripheral blood and bone marrow, T and B lymphocyte distributions have not been previously reported for lymph nodes, appendix, thymus, and spleen tissues in children. Thymus-dependent T cells were determined by the sheep erythrocyte rosette technique, and thymus-independent B cells were determined by the fluorescent labeling of surface immunoglobulins A (IgA), G (IgG), and M (IgM). Fifty percent of lymph node cells were either T or B cells; 65% of these cells were T lymphocytes, whereas 58% of B cells were of the IgM subclass. Less than half of the appendix cells were either T or B cells; 47% of these were T lymphocytes, and the remainder B lymphocytes had subclass distribution similar to that of lymph nodes but different from peripheral blood and bone marrow where B cells bearing IgG predominate. Thymus tissue contained 43% T cells and less than 1% B cells, but the spleen was composed largely of B cells, predominantly of the IgM type. Lymphoid tissue from nine children with either inflammatory or neoplastic diseases were studied and included for contrast. This paper establishes relative distribution values for T and B lymphocytes in normal lymphoid tissue and points out the potential use of this technique to quantitate deviations from normal in certain inflammatory and neoplastic diseases.
Effect of cyclophosphamide on the immune response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice
Authors: Pierson C L , Johnson A G , Feller I
Published: January 2020

Natural resistance in mice to Pseudomonas aeruginosa was decreased 10-fold with a single dose of 300 mg of cyclophosphamide (CY) per kg intraperitoneally. Mice were resistant to infection when immunized actively with Pseudomonas vaccine or passively with Pseudomonas immune serum before receiving CY. Syngeneic spleen, thymus and/or bone marrow cells were transfused into CY-treated recipient mice. Protective anti-Pseudomonas antibody was elicited in the recipient mice when they were vaccinated 1 day after receiving normal spleen cells and challenged 8 days after vaccination. When 1.6 X 10(7) normal thymus and bone marrow cells were infused before vaccination, 69% of the recipients of both cell preparations responded serologically compared with 15 and 27% of those receiving either thymus or bone marrow cells, respectively. CY-treated thymus or bone marrow cell recipients were resistant to Pseudomonas infection when 6 X 10(7) of either cell population was transfused.
T and B cell population changes in young and in adult rats infected with Plasmodium berghei
Authors: Gravely S M , Hamburger J , Kreier J P
Published: January 2020

Malaria infection in young rats is characterized by high parasitemia, severe anemia, and death. Parasitemia is lower in older rats, and the rats usually survive. This study was designed to investigate the immunological basis of this difference. T cell numbers in the thymuses and spleens of young (4 weeks old) and in adult (18 weeks old) infected and control rats were determined by killing with anti-theta serum and complement. The number of complement receptor lymphocytes (B cells) in spleens was determined after these cells had formed rosettes with sensitized, complement-coated sheep erythrocytes. Infection in young rats was characterized by progressive and severe thymic involution and by decreasing numbers of T and B cells in the spleen. In 18-week-old rats, T cell numbers in the spleen were slightly below those of controls early in infection but exceeded normal values by day 15. Progressive thymic involution was not a feature of infection in adult rats. The number of complement receptor lymphocytes in the spleens of adult rats decreased dramatically early in infection but were nearly normal by day 15. Severity of malarial infection in young rats is related to the inability of their lymphocytes to respond to Plasmodium berghei antigens early in infection in a way that leads to immunity.
Isolation of
Brucella melitensis
Phage of Broad Biotype and Species Specificity
Authors: Douglas James T. , Elberg Sanford S.
Published: January 2020

A
Brucella melitensis
phage was isolated. Stocks of phage were established which produced early large plaques. The phage host range included all smooth
Brucella
species.
Host defenses in experimental scrub typhus: role of cellular immunity in heterologous protection
Authors: Shirai A , Catanzaro P J , Phillips S M , Osterman J V
Published: January 2020

The relative contributions of cellular and humoral immunity in scrub typhus infections were studied in inbred mice employing paired strains of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi differing in virulence. An infectious dose (100 MID50) of the less virulent Gilliam strain resulted in heterologous immune protection against an otherwise lethal challenge (1,000 MLD50) of the virulent Karp strain. Partial heterologous protection against lethal Karp challenge was observed in animals preimmunized with the Gilliam strain as early as 3 days prior to challenge, whereas complete protection against illness and death existed in animals immunized at least 7 days prior to challenge. In the heterologous protection provided by prior Gilliam infection, the role of humoral immunity was not of primary importance for the following reasons: (i) significant levels of complement-fixing antibody against R. tsutsugamushi were not detectable until long after animals were solidly immune; (ii) antibody eventually appearing after Gilliam immunization exhibited a consistently low complement-fixing titer against the immunizing homologous (Gilliam) strain and contained no detectable activity against the heterologous challenge (Karp) strain; and (iii) passive transfer of large quantities of serum from Gilliam immune mice, themselves immune to Karp challenge, failed to protect recipients against a similar challenge. However, protection was afforded by the passive transfer of serum containing antibody against Karp, suggesting a major role for antibody in protection against homologous infection. This heterologous challenge system was particularly useful because it minimized the role of humoral immunity, at least early in the course of infection, and allowed a definitive examination of the cellular response. Cell-mediated immunity played a major role in the heterologous protection observed after Gilliam immunization. This was evidenced by the significant protection against Karp challenge afforded by the passive transfer of spleen cells from animals immunized with Gilliam 7 to 63 days previously. Of the immune spleen cells, only those which were nonadherent, presumably lymphocytes, were capable of transferring passive heterologous protection. This protective effect of nonadherent cells could be ablated by depleting the cell population of thymus-derived or T cells with anti-theta serum and complement prior to transfer but not by use of anti-immunoglobulin serum and complement, which selectively removes bone marrow-derived or B cells. These results suggested that the cell in immune spleens capable of conferring heterologous protection was a T lymphocyte.
Bactericidal mechanisms in rabbit alveolar macrophages: evidence against peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide bactericidal mechanisms
Authors: Biggar W D , Buron S , Holmes B
Published: January 2020

The role of peroxidase-mediated bacterial killing by rabbit alveolar macrophages was examined. During 3 h of incubation in vitro, alveolar macrophages ingested and killed greater than 88% of the Streptococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae present in the incubation mixture. Preincubation of alveolar macrophages with inhibitors of catalase, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole or sodium nitrite, did not alter their bactericidal potential. Iodination of ingested zymosan particles, a peroxidase-dependent and hydrogen peroxide-dependent reaction, was not observed, in spite of vigorous phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, iodination by alveolar macrophages was not significantly increased when peroxidase-coated zymosan particles were ingested. The results suggest that hydrogen peroxide may not be available to the phagocytic vacuole for microbial killing. Since tetrazolium dye reduction reflects the activity of an oxidase responsible for stimulated oxygen consumption by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, this reaction was also measured. Rabbit alveolar macrophages incubated with latex particles did not exhibit an increased dye reduction compared with resting cells. The absence of significant stimulation of tetrazolium dye reduction indicates that the oxidase reaction does not occur in the proximity of the phagocytic vacuole of alveolar macrophages.
Purification and immunochemical characterization of type e polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Hamada S , Slade H D
Published: January 2020

The type-specific antigen of Streptococcus mutans strain MT703, serotype e, has been chromatographically purified and characterized. Two chromatographic fractions were obtained from saline extracts which reacted with both anti-MT703 whole-cell serum and Lancefield group E serum. The major fraction (eI) was identified as a polysaccharide composed of 37% glucose, 56% rhamnose, 5% protein, and 0.3% phosphorus, whereas the minor fraction (eII) contained 66% protein in addition to 10% glucose and 17% rhamnose. The immunological specificity of these antigens was found to be the same by immunodiffusion in agar gel. Another fraction with a negative charge (eIII) reacted with polyglycerophosphate antisera from Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus pyogenes. For comparison, the MT703 antigen in a hot trichloroacetic acid extract (eA) and the group E antigen from a saline extract of cells of strain K129 (EI) were similarly purified by anionic ion-exchange chromatography. Although the ratio of glucose and rhamnose in eA was 1:0.9 and in eI and eII approximately 1:1.5, reactions of identity were obtained in gel diffusion against specific anti-e serum. This difference in ratio is probably a result of the extraction procedures. Both the type e and group E antisera were reactive with both eI and EI antigens. The adsorption of group E antiserum with MT703 cells removed all E antibody, whereas type e-specific antibody remained after adsorption with K129 cells. These results suggest that eI antigen possesses both e and E specificities, whereas EI possesses E only. These findings were supported by the quantitative precipitin test and immunodiffusion and/or immunoelectrophoretic patterns in agar gel. Methyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside markedly inhibited the precipitin reaction in both type e and group E sera. However, a significantly stronger inhibition by cellobiose of type e serum than of group E serum indicates that a beta-linked glucose-glucose dimer is the predominant antigenic determinant of the e specificity. The presence of both e and E specificities on a single polysaccharide molecule was demonstrated by the use of purified e antigen released from a specific e-anti-e complex. This antigen reacted with a group E-specific serum as well as a type e-specific serum. An examination of five S. mutans type e strains showed the presence of group E specificity also, whereas the I, II, and IV serotypes of group E streptococci only possessed the group E specificity.