Abraham I. Braude

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ACTIVITIES OF MATURE GRANULOCYTES IN LEUKEMIC AND NORMAL BLOOD

The abnormal appearance and number of granulocytes in the various leukemias suggest that phagocytosis by granulocytes in all stages of maturity might be so disturbed that leukemic patients might become more susceptible to bacterial infections than normal persons. Phagocytic activity among immature granulocytes is only slight but increases with maturity and becomes prominent among metamyelocytes and mature leukemic neutrophils (1-4). It has not been established, however, whether mature leukemic neutrophils are equal in phagocytic activity to normal mature neutrophils. Such a comparison has been attempted by Hirschberg (5) who concluded that the mature neutrophils in leukemic blood displayed less phagocytic activity than mature neutrophils in normal blood. Her results are open to question, however, because comparisons were made between phagocytic systems which were not uniform with respect to: 1) The number of phagocytes per unit volume; 2) quantity of opsonin; and 3) character of suspending menstruum. She also neglected to take into account the possible effect of antileukemic treatment on the phagocytic properties of leukocytes.

The influence of bacteriocins on resistance to infection by gram-negative bacteria: II. Colicin action, transfer of colicinogeny, and transfer of antibiotic resistance in urinary infections

Dual urinary infections were produced in rats with colicinogenic Escherichia coli CF1, elaborating colicin V in the urine, and colicine-sensitive E. coli 9224 by injecting each organism into the medulla of opposite kidneys. The colicin-sensitive organism was eradicated from the urine of 24.3% of rats and the degree of infection by E. coli 9224 reduced to less than half of the control group. Colicin-resistant mutants of E. coli 9224 were not inhibited in mixed infections with colicin producing E. coli CF1. No evidence of inhibitory activity by colicin V was found in the kidneys. The bladder urine, but not the kidney, was also the site for transfer of colicinogeny between homologous (E. coli) and heterologous (E. coli and Aerobacter aerogenes) species. Episomes controlling colicin V and J + I were transferred within 24 hr after establishing the mixed infection. Since E. coli 9224 was resistant to streptomycin and tetracycline, observations were also made on transmission of multiple drug resistance. Streptomycin and tetracycline resistance was readily transferred to E. coli CF1 within 48 hr in the bladder. These results demonstrate that in urinary infections colicins can kill susceptible bacteria and that bacterial genetic elements are transferred.

ACTH and adrenal steroids in the treatment of pneumococcal meningitis in adults

Abstract 1.1. Only one death occurred in twelve cases of pneumococcal meningitis in adults treated with ACTH and adrenal steroids in conjunction with penicillin. 2.2. These therapeutic results are discussed from the standpoint of the beneficial effect of AGTH and adrenal steroids in suppressing inflammation and hypersensitivity to the pneumococcus. 3.3. No serious deleterious effects of ACTH were noted.

Prevention of Blood Coagulation by Antibiotics in vitro

Summary When examined in vitro, streptomycin, penicillin, oxytetracyclene (“terramycin”) and neomycin were anticoagulants only when used in greater concentrations than can be attained in vivo.

Clotting of Citrated Plasma by Bacteria which Destroy the Anticoagulant Effect of Sodium Fluoroacetate

Summary and Conclusions The relationship of bacterial growth to utilization of citrate and clotting of plasma has been determined. Clotting of citrated plasma may be used as a dependable and simple end point of citrate utilization by certain strains of bacteria. Fluoroacetate was found to prevent clotting by interfering with utilization of citrate by A. aerogenes and the enterococci. Cyanide had no effect on clotting by enterococci.