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Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
THE ACTION OF PNEUMOCOCCUS ON BLOOD
1Laboratories and Hospital of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, New York.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Pneumococcus cultures reduce oxygen capacity by forming methemoglobin. This mechanism may also contribute to oxygen reduction in human lobar pneumonia, warranting further clinical investigation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Hematology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Pneumococcus bacteria can alter the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells.
- Methemoglobin formation is a known mechanism for reduced oxygen transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of methemoglobin formation in oxygen capacity reduction caused by pneumococcus.
- To explore the potential relevance of this mechanism in human lobar pneumonia.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of pneumococcus cultures with rabbit corpuscles.
- Analysis of hemoglobin derivatives using spectral properties.
- Examination of sterile filtrates from autolyzed pneumococcus cultures.
Main Results:
- Incubation led to methemoglobin formation, reducing oxygen capacity.
- The causative substance was found in sterile filtrates of autolyzed cultures.
Conclusions:
- Methemoglobin formation is a key factor in pneumococcus-induced oxygen capacity reduction.
- This mechanism is hypothesized to contribute to oxygen reduction in human lobar pneumonia.
- Further research is needed to confirm the clinical significance in pneumonia.
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