THE ENDOTOXIC PROPERTIES OF LYSATES OF GROUP A HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI

Suspensions of group A streptococci were subjected to mechanical disruption by shaking with glass beads. The supernatant solutions produced severe delayed inflammatory reactions on intradermal injection into normal rabbits. Intravenous injections caused systemic reactions characterized by fever, leucopenia, and peripheral vasomotor phenomena. These effects were more pronounced in rabbits which had previously been infected with group A streptococci. The local and generalized Shwartzman phenomena were reproduced with these crude streptococcal lysates, and the data suggest that streptococci possess an endotoxin similar to those of Gram-negative bacterial species.

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STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF THE SHWARTZMAN PHENOMENON

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.101.4.421 ◽

1955 ◽

Vol 101 (4) ◽

pp. 421-436 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

Chandler A. Stetson

Keyword(s):

Group A Streptococci ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Systemic Reactions ◽

Biologic Activity ◽

Bacterial Endotoxins ◽

Group A ◽

Shwartzman Phenomenon

The cutaneous, ophthalmic, and systemic reactions of normal rabbits to Gram-negative bacterial endotoxins have been compared with the classical reactions of bacterial hypersensitivity, and in each case certain similarities have been found. It has also been shown that the Shwartzman phenomenon can be reproduced with tuberculin, in BCG-vaccinated rabbits, and with suspensions or extracts of heat-killed Group A streptococci in rabbits previously sensitized to these bacteria. These considerations suggest the hypothesis that the biologic activity of endotoxins may be based on the existence in "normal" animals of delayed or tuberculin-type hypersensitivity to these materials.

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Effect of Detergents on Streptolysin S Precursor

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.29.2.306-310.1980 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 306-310

Author(s):

Gary B. Calandra

Keyword(s):

Glass Beads ◽

Tween 20 ◽

Group A Streptococci ◽

Streptolysin S ◽

Brij 35 ◽

Vortex Mixer ◽

Maximum Activation ◽

Group A ◽

Tween 40 ◽

No Activation

Group A streptococci which produce streptolysin S contain a cellular precursor to streptolysin S in the membranes and cytoplasm which is activatable by blending in a Vortex mixer with glass beads and ribonucleic acid (RNA)-core (RNA preparation from yeast). Although no activation of precursor occurred when it was mixed with detergents, it was activated when blended with glass beads and detergents such as Tergitol NP-40 and Brij 35. Maximum activation of precursor was achieved in 1 to 2% detergent, in pH 6.5 buffer, and after 8 min of blending. Detergents Tween 20, 40, 60, and 80, Brij 56, and Lubrol WX also activated precursor, but, of all the hemolysin preparations, those with Tween 40 or 60 or Lubrol WX were the most stable. The addition of RNA-core during or after blending of precursor with detergents enhanced the titer and stability of the hemolysin. This was due in part to the association of the hemolytic moiety with RNA-core. Activation of precursor in the membrane was better with a detergent, whereas that in the cytoplasm was better with RNA-core. Therefore, precursor from two different cellular locations can be differentiated by the effects of RNA-core and detergents on precursor titer.

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IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES ON A C POLYSACCHARIDE COMPLEX OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI HAVING A DIRECT TOXIC EFFECT ON CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.111.3.295 ◽

1960 ◽

Vol 111 (3) ◽

pp. 295-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

John H. Schwab ◽

William J. Cromartie

Keyword(s):

Connective Tissue ◽

Immune Serum ◽

Intradermal Injection ◽

Macromolecular Complex ◽

Group A Streptococci ◽

Polysaccharide Complex ◽

Toxic Material ◽

Microscopic Features ◽

Group A

A macromolecular complex of C polysaccharide and peptide derived from Group A streptococcal cells produces a multinodular, remittent, and intermittent lesion of dermal connective tissue following a single intradermal injection. This lesion is greatly modified, both in the gross and microscopically, in rabbits hyperimmunized with a Group A streptococcal vaccine. The immune serum, absorbed to yield only antibodies against C polysaccharide as indicated by agar diffusion techniques, will precipitate and neutralize the toxic material. This neutralization and in vitro precipitation can be inhibited with formamide-isolated C polysaccharide hapten and with N-acetylglucosamine, the primary directive group of this antigen. This clearly demonstrates that antibodies against the group-specific C polysaccharide are responsible for resistance to this toxic material. The immunological and other properties of the toxic C polysaccharide complex, the fact that it is a product of Group A streptococci, the gross and microscopic features of the experimental lesion produced with this substance, and the observations on the chronic course of the experimental lesion, indicate that this toxic material should be investigated as a possible factor in the pathogenesis of the non-suppurative sequelae associated with Group A streptococci.

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Relationship between bacteriology of the adenoid core and middle meatus in children with sinusitis

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215110002586 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 125 (3) ◽

pp. 279-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

S Elwany ◽

A N El-Dine ◽

A El-Medany ◽

A Omran ◽

Z Mandour ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Predictive Value ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Group A Streptococci ◽

Middle Meatus ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽

Airway Patency ◽

Group A ◽

Adenoidal Tissue ◽

Core Culture

AbstractObjective:To assess the correlation between bacterial pathogens in the adenoid core and the middle meatus, in children with hypertrophied adenoids and chronic or recurrent sinusitis.Design:The study was conducted at Alexandria University Hospitals. We included 103 children aged four to 12 years who were scheduled for adenoidectomy and who had clinical and/or radiological evidence of chronic or recurrent sinusitis. Adenoid core specimens and middle meatal swabs were obtained from every patient and were sent for bacteriological evaluation using standard qualitative and quantitative microbiological techniques. The results were statistically analysed.Results:The bacterial species isolated most frequently from the adenoid core were coagulase-negative staphylococci (40.8 per cent),Staphylococcus aureus(22.3 per cent),Streptococcus pneumoniae(18.4 per cent),Haemophilus influenzae(16.5 per cent) and group A streptococci (15.5 per cent). The bacterial species isolated most frequently from the middle meatus were coagulase-negative staphylococci (41.7 per cent),S aureus(32 per cent),S pneumoniae(28.1 per cent),H influenzae(21.6 per cent) and group A streptococci (19.4 per cent). The adenoid core and middle meatal cultures were both positive for at least one bacterial species in 63 cases, and were both negative in 25 cases. In six cases, a positive adenoid core culture was associated with a negative middle meatal culture. In five cases, a negative adenoid core culture was associated with a positive middle meatal culture (for one or more pathogenic species). Thus, adenoid core culture had a positive predictive value of 91.5 in forecasting the middle meatal culture result, and a negative predictive value of 84.3.Conclusion:Apart from its effect on nasal airway patency, adenoidal tissue may function as a bacterial reservoir initiating and maintaining sinus infection in children. These study findings support a potential role for adenoidectomy in the treatment of chronic or recurrent paediatric sinusitis.

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THE OCCURRENCE OF POLYGLYCEROPHOSPHATE AS AN ANTIGENIC COMPONENT OF VARIOUS GRAM-POSITIVE BACTERIAL SPECIES

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.109.4.361 ◽

1959 ◽

Vol 109 (4) ◽

pp. 361-378 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

Maclyn McCarty

Keyword(s):

Cellular Localization ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Group A Streptococci ◽

Immunochemical Analysis ◽

Gram Positive ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Precipitin Reaction ◽

Group A ◽

And Function

A bacterial substance has been described which gives a precipitin reaction with certain antisera to Group A streptococci. The precipitating antigen is present in various Gram-positive bacteria, including most hemolytic streptococci, staphylococci, and aerobic sporulating bacilli. It is not present in any of the Gram-negative species examined or in pneumococci, clostridia, or corynebacteria. Analysis of purified preparations obtained from Group A streptococci indicates that the antigen is a simple polymer of glycerophosphate. The identification has been confirmed by immunochemical studies, including precipitin tests and specific inhibition with synthetic polyglycerophosphates. In addition, the infrared spectra of bacterial and synthetic polyglycerophosphate are shown to be closely similar. Immunochemical analysis suggests that the amount of polyglycerophosphate present in Group A streptococci and staphylococci is approximately 1 per cent of the dry weight of the cells. The cellular localization and function of the polyglycerophosphate have not been established.

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HOST-PARASITE FACTORS IN GROUP A STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.112.6.1037 ◽

1960 ◽

Vol 112 (6) ◽

pp. 1037-1053 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Natalie Cremer ◽

Dennis W. Watson

Keyword(s):

Host Factors ◽

Bacterial Endotoxin ◽

Group A Streptococci ◽

Streptococcal Infections ◽

Specific Mechanism ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Specific Host ◽

Group A ◽

Host Parasite ◽

Parasite Factors

The data presented in this study suggest that Group A streptococci produce two distinct pyrogenic toxins: one primarily an intracellular toxin and the other mainly an extracellular toxin. Both of these toxins are not extractable by the conventional methods, phenol and TCA, used for isolation of Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin. Their chemical composition, therefore, differs from that of Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin. On the basis of tolerance studies it appears that similar non-specific host factors may be involved in the detoxification of both the streptococcal intracellular pyrogenic toxin and the Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin. Detoxification of streptococcal exotoxin requires a more immunologically specific mechanism. Because all the Group A sonic extracts studied elicited reciprocal tolerance to one another, it is suggested that tolerance to the intracellular pyrogenic toxin is not correlated with type-specificity.

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