A STUDY OF PLASMA PROTEIN ALTERATIONS IN RABBITS INFECTED WITH TYPE I PNEUMOCOCCI

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Abstract
By means of a cationic detergent method of plasma protein fractionation, the alterations in the alpha globulin, beta-gamma globulin, albumin and fibrinogen fractions were studied in rabbits infected by intra-dermal injections of Type I pneumococci. In all rabbits, a prompt rise of the alpha globulins and fibrinogen occurred within 48 hours after injection. A reciprocal decrease of albumin developed which reached the lowest concentration at the time of peak increase (5-6th day) of the alpha globulins and fibrinogen. Significantly greater increments of alpha globulin and fibrinogen were encountered in rabbits severely bacteremic as compared to the group with mild bacteremia. The alpha globulins and fibrinogen were encountered in rabbits severely bacteremic as compared to the group with mild bacteremia. The alpha globulins and fibrinogen showed less increase and albumin less decrease, when infection was modified by therapy with type specific rabbit antiserum or by penicillin. The beta-gamma globulin fraction decreased at the peak of infection and then rose to normal or slightly increased levels during recovery from infection. The implication of this finding is discussed. Pretreatement of the rabbits with cortisone acetate suppressed the cellular response and caused a severe bacteremia with Type I pneumococcus. The alpha globulins increased in the same manner as in the severely bacteremic untreated rabbits, but a significant lag of fibrinogen synthesis and a delayed decrease in albumin concentration was observed. The beta-gamma fraction also showed a delayed decrease when compared with temporal events of severely bacteremic rabbits. Later in the disease, all fractions showed identical changes found in severely bacteremic animals.