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EFFECT OF HUMAN SERUM ON FATALITY OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTION IN MICE
Abstract:
Fusillo, Matthew H. (D.C. General Hospital, Washington, D.C.) and Daniel L. Weiss. Effect of human serum on fatality of staphylococcal infection in mice. J. Bacteriol. 86:212-215. 1963.-Mouse plasma is usually not clotted by staphylococcal coagulase. The addition of human serum to mouse plasma activated the production of the plasma clot by staphylococcal coagulase. When anaerobically grown staphylococci were mixed with human serum, in the mice infected, mortality was enhanced in the serum-treated animals when compared with a nonserum-treated control. A heat-stable factor in human serum apparently was responsible for the increased deaths. The possible implications of coagulase in establishing mouse infections are discussed.
Insights
Human serum enhances staphylococcal infections in mice by activating coagulase. A heat-stable factor in the serum increases mortality, impacting understanding of staphylococcal pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Staphylococcal coagulase typically does not clot mouse plasma.
- Understanding factors influencing staphylococcal infection severity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of human serum on staphylococcal infection fatality in mice.
- To determine if human serum influences staphylococcal coagulase activity in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Mice were infected with anaerobically grown staphylococci.
- Some infected mice received human serum, while a control group did not.
- Plasma clotting activity by staphylococcal coagulase was assessed.
Main Results:
- Human serum addition activated staphylococcal coagulase to clot mouse plasma.
- Mice treated with human serum exhibited enhanced mortality compared to controls.
- A heat-stable factor in human serum was identified as responsible for increased deaths.
Conclusions:
- Human serum contains factors that potentiate staphylococcal infections in mice.
- Coagulase activity, influenced by human serum, may play a role in staphylococcal pathogenesis.
- These findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for staphylococcal infections.
