A Study on the Mechanism of Invasiveness of Streptococci

Abstract

Opie (1) and have demonstrated that various materials are fixed in situ when injected into an acutely inflamed area, and Menkin has emphasized the r61e of mechanical obstruction in the form of a fibrinous network and thrombosed lymphatics in the fixation of such substances as bacteria and trypan blue as an important factor in the resistance of tissues to invasion. Recently, Menkirl (6) has ascribed the characteristic lack of invasiveness of Staphylococcus aureus to the irritating properties of that organism which induce a prompt inflammatory response as shown by the early fixation of trypan blue. On the other hand, the fixation of trypan blue in inflamed areas produced by Streptococcus haemolyticus was delayed about 45 hours, which led him to suggest that the greater invasiveness of this organism may be due to its lack of irritating properties and consequent delay in inflammatory response, thus leaving the lymphatics open as available routes for dissemination.The experimental data set forth below indicate that the supposed paradox is illusory. Menkin's observations (6) are fully confirmed as to the behavior of staphylococcus and streptococcus in the skin of rabbits, but the delay of inflammatory fixation of trypan blue by streptococci probably is due to the production of two substances, one of which is fibrinolyfic, while the other acts by inhibiting fibrin formation. Experimental evidence is given for the existence of these two substances, and certain of their properties are described. The effects of cultures and filtrates of certain distinct strains of Streptococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus viridans, and Staphylococcus aureus on the fixation

Tissue Permeability and the Spreading Factors in Infection 1

“…to other weapons of the invader, (leucocidin, fibrinolysins, ability to tolerate phagocytosis) and to the bactericidal power of the blood, prevention of formation of fibrin clot, etc. (194,99,15,248,104,47,245). The dermo-necrotizing effect shown by' practically all Staphylococcus aureus strains (195) as the most immediate proof of their local invasiveness seems specially interesting in this respect.…”

The Pathogenic Staphylococci

“…The dye or bacteria injected intravenously could likewise be fixed at a site of inflammation. These findings were confirmed by Dennis and Berberian (54). The phenomenon suggests the action of staphylocoagulase (126), but Menkin and Walston reported that staphylocoagulase is unrelated to the substance which induces rapid obstruction of the flow of lymph (181).…”

Incidence and Significance of Beta Hemolytic Streptococci in Cultures from a Selected Group of Milk Handlers

“…Assuming the lytic action of any strain on human fibrin to be associated with its invasive power, the majority of these strains are potential human pathogens. 9 …”

“…A number of strains isolated were subjected to tests to determine their fibrinolytic activity * against human fibrin, since studies by Tillett and Garner,8 Dennis and Berberian 9 and Tillett 10 indicate that this property is closely associated with the virulence or invasive power of a strain. Of 14 strains from 14 individuals so tested, 9 produced fibrinolysis in from 3 to 45 minutes; 2 required 1 to 4 hours; 3 were either negative or required 10 to 12 hours.…”