Slime of Pseudomonas aeruginosa : In Vivo Production

Abstract

Indirect hemagglutination inhibition tests were employed to detect slime in concentrations as low as 1 ,g/ml. Increasing concentrations of slime resulted in proportionately greater inhibition of hemagglutination. Peritoneal aspirates and plasma of mice injected with slime were shown to exhibit the inhibitory activity of slime. The rapid dissemination of slime into the peripheral circulation was also

In vivo distribution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa slime glycolipoprotein: association with leukocytes

“…Although infections resulting from Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been studied for many years, relatively little is known about its pathogenesis. Several possible virulence factors have been characterized, such as: proteases (11), exotoxin or toxin A (4,12), leukocidin (13)(14)(15)(16), and slime (1,8,18,19). The glycolipoprotein (GLP) fraction, extracted from the slime layer, has been observed to induce leukopenic and lethal effects in mice, much the same as infection with viable organisms.…”

“…Active and passive immunization against highly purified GLP protected mice from leukopenia and death after challenge with live organisms (18). The production of GLP has been detected in vivo after injection of live organisms, as well as its dissemination via the peripheral blood circulation to become associated with erythrocytes (8).…”

Phage-related surface modifications of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: effects on the biological activity of viable cells

“…Animal challenge. Bacterial cells were prepared for challenge as described previously (13). Briefly, 18h cultures were washed from Trypticase soy agar slants, sedimented, washed once, and suspended finally in 0.01 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; pH 7.2) at a turbidity equivalent to 1 x 1010 to 5 x 10'0 viable cells per ml.…”

“…Indirect hemagglutination inhibition. Hemagglutinating activity of the sera was determined indirectly as described previously (13). Formalinized sheep erythrocytes (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.) were sensitized with GLP (200 pg/ml) in PBS at room temperature for 30 min.…”

“…An intraperitoneal injection of an appropriate level of GLP into mice produces effects similar to those that accompany a lethal infection with viable bacilli, such as leukopenia (33,34). Furthermore, it has been shown that slime is produced in mice after intraperitoneal injection of viable cells (13). Moreover, active immunization of mice with GLP or passive immunization with rabbit anti-GLP serum prevents the leukopenia and death that follow an other-wise lethal infection with viable cells (33,34).…”