This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Michael, J. G. Articles by Landy, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Michael, J. G. Articles by Landy, M.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

J Bacteriol. 1961 August; 82(2): 257-264
Copyright ©, 1961, The Williams & Wilkins Company. All Rights Reserved.

EFFECT OF EXPOSURE OF BACTERIA TO ENDOTOXIN ON THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY TO THE LETHAL ACTION OF NORMAL SERUM

Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

ABSTRACT

MICHAEL, J. GABRIEL (National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md.), AND MAURICE LANDY. Effect of exposure of bacteria to endotoxin on their susceptibility to the lethal action of normal serum. J. Bacteriol. 82:257–264. 1961.—The uptake of typhoid endotoxin by Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae was investigated with respect to its effect on the susceptibility of these strains to the bactericidal action of serum. The attachment of endotoxin to the organisms was found to be dependent on time, temperature, concentration, and the physiological state of the bacteria. Short exposure leading to the adsorption or incorporation of small amounts of endotoxin enhanced the lethal effect of serum, whereas long periods of exposure leading to the uptake of larger amounts rendered the bacteria relatively resistant.