Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: February 28, 2019
ABSCESS-FORMING FACTOR(S) PRODUCED BY STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS. II. ABSCESS FORMATION AND IMMUNITY BY A STAPHYLOCOCCUS
Abstract:
Lam, Gow T. (Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa.), Francis J. Sweeney, Jr., Charlotte M. Witmer, and Robert I. Wise. Abscess-forming factor(s) produced by Staphylococcus aureus. II. Abscess formation and immunity by a Staphylococcus and its mutants. J. Bacteriol. 86:87-91. 1963.-Three mutants were derived from a virulent parent strain of Staphylococcus aureus by ultraviolet irradiation. One mutant retained coagulase but lost its hemolytic activity; a second had no coagulase but retained its hemolysin; and a third contained hemolysin and bound coagulase but no free coagulase. The parent strain was coagulase-positive, hemolysin-positive, and possessed all the known extracellular products. All four strains were compared by bacteriophage typing, mannitol utilization, and antibiotic sensitivity tests. The four isolates were studied for their pathogenicity in Swiss albino mice and four strains of inbred mice. Their immunological characteristics as studied by repeated subcutaneous injections are reported. The importance of hemolysin and the coagulase in abscess formation is discussed. Local immunity was produced only by the parent strain, but abscesses were produced by all the strains containing coagulase.
Related Concept Videos
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence
Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

