| Abstract: | The phagocytic activity of the leukocytes and the serum complement, properdin, and lysozyme levels were studied in germfree miniature piglets and similar animals ocntaiminated withEscherichia coli 055 andE. coli 083. In the presence of autologous serum and complement phagocytosis ofE. coli 055 cells was inhibited, but it was considerably intensified under the influence of specific opsonins (antibodies againstE. coli 055). Lowered levels of complement, properdin, and lysozyme were found in the germfree animals. After peroral monocontamination withE. coli the formation of properdin and complement was stimulated the most, and that of lysozyme the least. Antibodies againstE. coli 055 were not found in the monocontaminated piglets. The highest lysozyme levels were found in the previously germfree animals, which points to the role of other contamination factors thanE. coli cells in the stimulation of lysozyme. It is concluded that microbial contamination plays an important role in the development of the cellular and humoral factors of resistance.Research Laboratory of Experimental Biological Models, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow Region. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, N. N. Zhukov-Verezhnikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 86, No. 9, pp. 341–344, September, 1978. |
