Haemophilus ducreyi, a cytotoxin-producing bacterium. 1992

M Purvén, and T Lagergård
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.

An extra- and an intracellular product from the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi were shown to have a cytotoxic effect on cell lines of epithelial origin, e.g., HEp-2 and HeLa cells. The cytotoxic effect appeared on cells within 24 h and resulted in cell death and morphologically changed cells. The cytotoxic activity was heat and pronase sensitive. The activity could be removed by incubation with the target cells, suggesting attachment of the agent to the cells. The cytotoxic products were secreted into the environment during exponential growth of bacteria and produced by most of the H. ducreyi strains tested. The activity was neutralized by homologous rabbit immune serum but not by the corresponding preimmune serum. The results indicate that strains of H. ducreyi produce a cytotoxin which may be of importance to the pathogenesis of chancroid.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007106 Immune Sera Serum that contains antibodies. It is obtained from an animal that has been immunized either by ANTIGEN injection or infection with microorganisms containing the antigen. Antisera,Immune Serums,Sera, Immune,Serums, Immune
D011817 Rabbits A burrowing plant-eating mammal with hind limbs that are longer than its fore limbs. It belongs to the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, and in contrast to hares, possesses 22 instead of 24 pairs of chromosomes. Belgian Hare,New Zealand Rabbit,New Zealand Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbit,Rabbit,Rabbit, Domestic,Chinchilla Rabbits,NZW Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbits,Oryctolagus cuniculus,Chinchilla Rabbit,Domestic Rabbit,Domestic Rabbits,Hare, Belgian,NZW Rabbit,Rabbit, Chinchilla,Rabbit, NZW,Rabbit, New Zealand,Rabbits, Chinchilla,Rabbits, Domestic,Rabbits, NZW,Rabbits, New Zealand,Zealand Rabbit, New,Zealand Rabbits, New,cuniculus, Oryctolagus
D002460 Cell Line Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely. Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D003603 Cytotoxins Substances that are toxic to cells; they may be involved in immunity or may be contained in venoms. These are distinguished from CYTOSTATIC AGENTS in degree of effect. Some of them are used as CYTOTOXIC ANTIBIOTICS. The mechanism of action of many of these are as ALKYLATING AGENTS or MITOSIS MODULATORS. Cytolysins,Cytotoxic Agent,Cytotoxic Agents,Cytotoxin,Agent, Cytotoxic
D006191 Haemophilus ducreyi A species of HAEMOPHILUS that appears to be the pathogen or causative agent of the sexually transmitted disease, CHANCROID. Bacillus ulceris cancrosi,Coccobacillus ducreyi,Hemophilus ducreyi
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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