Abstract
Summary
Sterile, non-lethal ultrafiltrates of strangulation fluids from humans, dogs, and rats promoted a rapid, lethal E. coli infection in healthy mice by fewer bacteria than was possible with saline suspensions of the same organisms. Cl. welchii and Cl. sordelli, similarly suspended, killed only a small proportion of test mice. Sublethal dosages of several substances that might contribute to the virulence-enhancing activity of strangulation fluids were also studied: E. coli endotoxin enhanced the virulence of Cl. sordelli and E. coli; Cl. welchii exotoxin enhanced only E. coli; bile and mucin enhanced all 3 test microorganisms. Synergism between bacteria of one species and products of another may contribute to the severity of mixed bacterial infections. The identity of the factor in strangulation fluids is unknown. There is as yet no evidence of a role for a bacterial virulence-enhancing factor in the pathophysiology of strangulation intestinal obstruction.
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