Study of the toxin-producing ability of Pasteurella multocida in mice

Cell-free sonicated extracts and broth cultures of Pasteurella multocida strains of pig origin were examined for their lienotoxicity in mice. P. multocida strains represented capsular types A and D with or without dermonecrotoxic (DNT) activity in the guinea pig skin test. Mouse lienotoxicity test was suitable for determining the toxigenicity of P. multocida strains only when bacterium-free extracts were tested. In that case both toxigenic type A and D strains were lethal to intravenously inoculated mice and caused a remarkable reduction in spleen mass when sublethal doses were used. The extracts of atoxic strains were not lethal and induced splenic hyperplasia. By testing viable cells no correlation was demonstrable between toxin production and virulence of P. multocida to mice. In one experiment the concentrated sterile culture fluids of a toxigenic type D P. multocida and a toxigenic B. bronchiseptica strain were compared. The former caused deaths and splenic atrophy among mice, while the latter was nontoxic and induced slight hyperplasia of the spleen. This fact indicates that P. multocida secretes its toxin into the culture fluid.