THE PRESENCE OF PLASMA INHIBITORS DURING THE CRISIS PHENOMENON IN EXPERIMENTAL RELAPSING FEVER (BORRELIA NOVYI)

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Abstract
The intensity and duration of B. novyi infection in rats depends upon the dose of spirochetes inoculated. Following intraperitoneal inoculation of 1 x 108 spirochetes/kg the spirochetemia characteristically reaches a peak of 4 to 5 million organisms per mm3 of blood at about 72 hours. Resolution of the primary infection occurs within 48 hours after the peak counts have been observed, with crisis ending at 100 to 120 hours after inoculation. Treatment of the acute infection so standardized by 10 ml/kg of crisis plasma intraperitoneally delays the onset of the spirochetemia 76 to 140 hours, and reduces the maximal spirochetal counts 10-2 to 10-6 that of the unmodified controls. This is evidence that inhibitor(s) is present in plasma at the time of crisis and plays a role in limiting the primary infection and subsequent relapses. The activity of crisis plasma is not destroyed by freezing or after storage at 4[degree]C for 4 days. Two fractions from crisis plasma (I+n+II and IV+V+VI), obtained by method 10 of Conn et al., are also effective in suppressing the acute spirochetemia, but differ in duration and effectiveness. Fraction I+II+III is about as potent as whole plasma, whereas Fraction IV+V+VI is about as potent as plasma diluted 1:4. Beta globulins are present in both fractions.

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