ON ANAPHYLATOXINS AND ENDOTOXINS OF THE TYPHOID BACILLUS

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Friedberger previously observed toxic body formation from bacteria via sensitizer and complement.
• Anaphylatoxins are poisonous intermediate products resulting from bacterial proteid cleavage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the conditions and stability of anaphylatoxin production from typhoid bacilli.
• To explore the potential role of anaphylatoxins in typhoid fever toxemia.

Main Methods:

• Incubation of sensitized and unsensitized typhoid bacilli with complement at body temperature for extended periods.
• Varying quantities of bacteria and complement exposure times.
• Experiments involving kaolin and autolysates.

Main Results:

• Prolonged incubation (over 12 hours) at body temperature with sufficient complement and bacteria consistently produced powerful poisons (anaphylatoxins).
• Unlike other microorganisms, anaphylatoxins from typhoid bacilli were relatively stable and not rapidly destroyed by complement action or lysis.
• Conditions in vivo during typhoid fever (high bacterial load, prolonged complement exposure) appear optimal for anaphylatoxin production.

Conclusions:

• Anaphylatoxin production from typhoid bacilli is favored by vigorous complement action and prolonged exposure.
• The relative instability of anaphylatoxins in other bacteria contrasts with their stability in typhoid bacilli, supporting their potential role in typhoid toxemia.
• While preformed endotoxins' role is unproven, anaphylatoxins, potentially formed via proteolysis hastened by complement and sensitizer, offer a plausible explanation for typhoid toxemia symptoms.