Evidence for the existence of endotoxic activity in three strains of Moraxella

Abstract
The phenol extraction technique was used to obtain material with endotoxic activity from three strains of Moraxella. This material was subjected to partial purification. Biological activity was determined by inoculation of the extracts into the skin of rabbits, and noting the resultant skin reactions. Although containing some cellular contaminants such as nucleic acid from the extraction procedure, the endotoxin preparations showed biological activity in the microgram range. Killed but unextracted cells also elicited skin reactions when injected intradermally into the rabbit.A partial analysis of the biochemical components of the endotoxin revealed that these three strains contain endotoxin whose composition is similar in several respects to that of the endotoxins of the neisseriae and some of the enteric bacteria.

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