The Slime of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Biological Characterization and Possible Role in Experimental Infection

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Abstract
The response of mice to ip injection of purified slime of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identical to that observed in lethal infection initiated with viable bacilli, namely, toxic manifestations, leukopenia, and death. Active and passive immunization against slime prevented these responses. Protection was type-specific. In comparison with lipopolysaccharide, slime was two to three times more toxic. Antigenic distinction between slime and lipopolysaccharide was demonstrated by immunodiffusion and indirect hemagglutination inhibition. Unlike slime, lipopolysaccharide failed to absorb the protective activity from antislime serum and was not antiphagocytic in vitro. Slime contained mannose and galactose, which were absent from lipopolysaccharide, and an unidentified orcinol-positive component in the neutral sugar pattern was present in the lipopolysaccharide, but not in slime. In addition, qualitative differences were observed in the fatty acid compositions of slime and lipopolysaccharide.

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