The exotoxins ofCorynebacterium ulcerans

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Abstract
Summary: The exotoxins produced by ten strains ofC. ulcerans(two human, six bovine and two equine) have been studied. On the criteria of toxin–antitoxin neutralisation and immunoprecipitation tests using highly specific diphtheria andC. ovisantitoxins with crude toxic filtrates, (NH4)2SO4concentrates, and partially purified chromatographic preparations of these, together with the presence or absence of inhibition of the action of staphylococcal beta-haemolysin, and the reaction produced when injected intradermally into rabbits, two toxins could be identified, namely diphtheria toxin andC. ovistoxin. There was no evidence for the production of a third toxin specific forC. ulcerans. Five strains produced both diphtheria andC. ovistoxins. In four diphtheria toxin predominated, but in the fifthC. ovistoxin predominated. Two strains produced only diphtheria toxin and two onlyC. ovistoxin, though there was good but not complete evidence that a third strain (Revell) also fell into this latter group. Considerable variation occurred in the concentration of each toxin and, where both were present, in the proportion of each.