On the Identity of the “Virulence Enhancement” Factor in Gastric Mucin

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary: Purified blood group A substance isolated from hog gastric mucin possesses the property of enhancing markedly the virulence of S. typhosa for mice. Inactivation of blood group A substance by methods which result in the loss of its ability to inhibit A isohemagglutination also results in loss of its virulence enhancement activity. The virulence-enhancing action of blood group A substance is considerably augmented by the inorganic fraction of mucin. Thus, 1.5 per cent of blood group A substance combined with 0.5 per cent mucin ash enhances the virulence of S. typhosa to a degree which compares favorably with that of 3 per cent blood group A substance or 5 per cent mucin. It is suggested that the general phenomenon of virulence enhancement by gastric mucin may be attributed to blood group A substance augmented by inorganic salts.

This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit: