Studies on Fowl Cholera V. The Toxins of Bacillus Avisepticus

Abstract

In presenting the results of his very suggestive studies on the agglutination of bacteria in vivo, Dr. Bull (1916) makes the following statement: From table 1 it is seen that bouillon cultures of Bacillus avisepticus are highly toxic for rabbits, 0.5 cc. of culture per kilo causing acute death. The intoxication is largely due to a toxin, since 1 cc. per kilo of body weight of a bacteria-free filtrate from a twenty-four hour culture causes acute death. and again:These results especially emphasize the significance of agglutinins and opsonins in the mechanism of natural resistance to infection, since Bacillus avisepticus produces a powerful toxin and is still incapable of causing a septicemia of any consequence in the presence of these antibodies.