PHAGOCYTOSIS OF SERUM-RESISTANT AND SERUM-SENSITIVE COLIFORM BACTERIA (KLEBSIELLA) BY BOVINE NEUTROPHILS FROM BLOOD AND MASTITIC MILK

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 39  (3) , 425-427
Abstract
Phagocytic activity of neutrophil leukocytes from bovine blood and mastitic milk was determined for 2 strains of Klebsiella, 1 resistant and the other sensitive to serum bactericidal activity. Both strains were easily phagocytized in the presence of an opsonic agent, but milk neutrophils seemed to be less efficient than blood neutrophilis in this respect. Phagocytosis was maximal after incubation for 60 minutes at 37.degree. C and decreased markedly with reduction in incubation temperature. The opsonic activity of mastric milk was considerably highe than that of normal milk and approached that of fresh bovine serum. Precolostral calf serum was deficient in opsonic activity and anti-bovine leukocyte serum was antiphagocytic.