Studies on the Effect of Immune Reactions on the Metabolism of Bacteria

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Abstract
The effect of homologous immune serum, with and without complement, on the O2 consumption by E. typhosa (strains 0-901 and H-901) and pneumococcus has been studied. A method has been worked out that makes it possible to calculate Qo2 values (mm.3/O2/mg. bacteria/hr.) for intact, agglutinated, and lysed fractions of bacteria. The values thus obtained make it possible to evaluate the effect of various agents on the O2 consumption of bacteria under the influence of immune and other factors. Agglutinated E. typhosa (and pneumococci) consume volumes of O2 equal to those of the respective controls. Intact sensitized cells with or without complement do not experience loss of oxidative activity, indicating that the formation of agglutinated clumps of bacteria does not involve physical or immunological barriers to the activity of oxidative enzymes. Sensitized E.lyphosa (0-901) cells acted upon by complement, undergo lysis. Immediately after lysis considerably more O2 is used than by the controls containing the intact cells. Subsequently, the O2 consumption of the lysed system undergoes up to 88% reduction. In simultaneous tests, O2 consumption in the presence of yeast extract and glucose is greater than in the: presence of glucose alone. In the presence of yeast extract,, the reduction in O2 uptake following lysis is likewise greater. In the presence of glycerol the O2 consumption is also markedly greater than in glucose alone. The reduction in O2 uptake by the glycerol-containing system is likewise much greater and more prompt than in glucose alone. Whether or not the previously mentioned reduction in O2 uptake by the lysed fractions of bacilli obtained by the action of complement on sensitized cells is due to the deterioration of liberated enzyme systems or to an inhibitory effect of a specific combination between liberated intact oxidative respiratory enzymes and homologous antibodies cannot at present be answered. Further work pertaining to this question is in progress.

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