The biochemistry of bacterial toxins. 5. Variation in haemolytic activity of immunologically distinct lecithinases towards erythrocytes from different species

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Abstract
Hemolysis of horse and sheep erythrocytes by Clostridium welchii and C. oedematiens toxins was always preceded by decomposition of some of the phospholipin of the cell, indicating that hemolysis is primarily dependent on the action of the lecithinases present. The rates of hydrolysis of the phospholipin of intact erythrocytes of horse and sheep by the 3 immunologically distinct lecithinases[long dash]C. welchii alpha-toxin and C. oedematiens beta- and gamma-toxins[long dash]are different. These differences appear sufficient to account for the known differences in sensitivity of horse and sheep cells to hemolysis by the immunologically specific lecithinases. After exposure to C. welchii alpha-toxin at 37[degree], sheep erythrocytes undergo extensive hemolysis (hot-cold lysis) on cooling below a critical temp. This effect is less marked with horse cells and does not occur with human or rabbit erythrocytes. The significance of the selective action of the lecithinases on erythrocytes of different species is discussed with relation to the problem of virulence and biological differentiation.