Abstract
Summary
The use of the highly sensitive bactericidal assay has allowed the detection of natural antibody in human parotid fluid to Salmonella typhosa and Shigella dysenteriae. This antibody activity parallels closely the bactericidal activity found in serum. Bactericidal activity in parotid fluid was localized by sucrose density gradient in fractions within the sedimentation range of 7–11S. Other antibody-like activities in parotid fluid were demonstrated by evaluating its protective effect on dextran-enhanced Salmonella infection in mice and phagocytic-promoting ability as measured by the clearance of C14-labeled bacteria. The nature and possible role of such antibody in parotid fluid is discussed.
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