[The effect of staphylococci on the manifestation of opsonic cooperation in the complement system]

The influence of the cultures of 14 Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains on the capacity of factor C3b of the complement for mediating the adhesive reaction of human neutrophils was studied. In experiments with 5 out of 11 S. aureus strains the essential weakening of reactions was registered, while one of the strains considerably enhanced reactions. Out of 3 S. epidermidis strains, the weakening of C3b-dependent reaction was noted in one case. The activity of the cultures did not correlate with the gelatinase properties of staphylococci and was absent in all gelatinase-positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. The model worked out by the authors may be used for studying the influence of bacterial metabolites and biologically active substances on the effector properties of factor C3b of the complement.