C. Alan Phillips

Bactericidal Antibodies to Hemophilus influenzae

Summary Studies on the incidence of bactericidal antibodies to a Hemophilus influenzae, Type B, and an unencapsulated H. influenzae were carried out on sera from 130 healthy individuals, ranging in age from 13 to 78, and from 19 chronic bronchitics. Of the 130 sera from normal people only 2 (1.5%) lacked bactericidal antibodies to the H. influenzae, Type B, whereas 21 (16%) lacked bactericidal antibodies to the unencapsulated H. influenzae. All of the 19 sera from the chronic bronchitics were bactericidal for both Hemophilus isolates. All five sera from agammaglobulinemic patients who were on gamma globulin replacement therapy demonstrated bactericidal activity against the H. influenzae, Type B isolate. Utilizing the indirect fluorescent antibody technique, no correlation was apparent between the presence or absence of bactericidal antibodies and antibody levels as measured by immunofluorescence.

Characterization of Four New Rhinovirus Serotypes

Discussion and Summary The isolation and characterization of 4 new rhinovirus serotypes, including the prototype strain of RV83 (Baylor 7), strains of RV56 (Baylor 5) and RV64 (Baylor 6), and a new rhinovirus serotype to be submitted to phase III of the Rhinovirus Collaborative Program have been described. All of the viruses exhibited the essential properties of a rhinovirus: small size, RNA core, acid lability, and ether stability. All were nonpathogenic for mice and failed to hemagglutinate red blood cells. All were isolated from young adults with the common cold in tissue culture cells of human origin (WI-38, HEK, and human aorta) and all grew best rolled at 33°. Baylor 5 had a buoyant density in cesium chloride of approximately 1.39 g/cm3. Of particular note is the fact that although 34 new rhinovirus serotypes were just recently added to the numbering system to bring the total number of rhinovirus serotypes classified to 89, Baylor 8 assures the continued expansion of the numbering system.