Inhibition of nonspecific defenses by soil infection potentiating factors

This study was undertaken to examine the effect of soil infection potentiating factors on the defense system of the tissue. Using an in vitro model, leukocyte phite. This damaging effect on leukocyte function was a result of an interaction between the leukocyte and the clay particles. Montmorillonite also interfered with nonspecific humoral defenses. Exposure of serum to clay rapidly eliminated its bactericidal bodies occurred without any damage to the serum opsonins.