NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS AND NEURAMINIDASE-PRODUCING BACTERIA

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 35  (2) , 121-128
Abstract
In 9 of 26 newborns with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) exposure of the Thomsen-cryptantigen (T-antigen [Ag]), probably due to the action of circulating bacterial neuraminidase, was demonstrated on red blood cells. The serological titers seemed to correlate with the clinical course of the disease. Neuraminidase-producing clostridia were isolated in 2 of the patients. Reaction between the exposed T-Ag and anti-T-agglutinins, normally present in human blood, may lead to difficulties during blood transfusion. This potential transfusion hazard is best avoided by routine T-Ag-tests and by transfusion of packed or washed red cells to T-Ag-positive patients.