INFLUENCE OF BLOOD CELLS ON THE EXPRESSION OF BACTERIOCIN‐LIKE ACTIVITY IN NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS

Abstract

Influence of blood cells on the expression of bacteriocin-like activity in Neisseriu meningifidis. Acta path. microbiol. immunol. scand. Sect. B, 91: 245-250, 1983.The inhibitors responsible for the bactericidal activity found in four strains of Neisseriu meningitidis were strongly bound to or inactivated by blood cells. The bactericidal effects were specifically influenced by human cells of types 0, A. B and AB. Cells from horse, sheep and rabbit had no significant effect. The bacteriostatic effect observed in one strain of N . meningitidis was more moderately reduced in the presence of animal cells as well as human cells. The effects of the blood cells were connected with pellets from lysates of the blood cells. The bacteriostatic effect was also moderately reduced in the presence of plasma, hemoglobin and methemoglobin regardless of origin, and to some extent of cytochrome C. CaCl2 slightly enhanced the bacteriostatic effect.

INHIBITORY SPECTRUM OF BACTERIOCIN‐LIKE AGENTS FROM NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS

“…This is in agreement with previous findings by Kingsbury ( 15). It is noteworthy that the four agents with properties corresponding to bacteriocins (those of the strains P20 I , P2 13, P24 1 and 99/79) as well as the inhibitor ofthe strain 77/79A which otherwise has several unique properties ( 12,13,14), all have the same narrow range. But the sensitivity range of the latter inhibitor differs from those of the other four agents which on the other hand are identical.…”

“…The N. meningitidis strain P205 (group A, type P12) and the strain T of N. cinerea (ATCC 14685) were generally used as sensitive indicator strains. The origin and properties of the strains have been described previously ( 12,13,14). The meningococci examined for sensitivity to the bacteriocin-like activities were isolated from patients and camers in Norway, and were serologically classified as described by Holten ( 10).…”

“…Among five strains of Neisseria meningitidis isolated from patients in Norway two types of bacteriocin-like agents were found. One type seemed to fit the description of a bacteriocin, whereas the other had several properties not generally associated with a bacteriocin in its classic sense (12,13,14). Whetherthis particularinhibitor merits the name bacteriocin is a matter of contention.…”