Extraction of Leucocidin From Staphylococci and Its Practical Application in the Diagnosis of Septicemia

Abstract

Since the classical work of Metclmikoff (l) in 1895 the importance of the cellular defense mechanism has been recognized. The great number of investigations on the various aspects of the subject of phagocytosis that appear in the worlds literature serve as convincing evidence for recognition of the necessity for a thorough understanding of this phenomenon. It is the purpose of this paper to investigate a small but interesting facet of this process of phagocytosis, that is the inhibition or depression of the mechanism by destruction of polymorphonuclear leukocytes; destruction due to a specific exotoxin elaborated by certain bacteria. In addition an attempt has been made to utilize this process of phagocytic inhibition in a practical manner in the diagnosis of septicemia and bacteremia. | The problem of continuing phagocytosis after aseptic transfer of whole blood to a suitable liquid media has been a probable source of false negative blood culture results. This idea is due to the fairly high percentage of suspected septicemia patients who have given negative results with many blood cultures. It also brings to mind the possibility that many so-called "normal" individuals may possess a temporary undetected bacteremia.