Abstract
Summary
β-lysin was found in an active form in plasma, saliva, and aqueous humor at approximately 1/16 the serum concentration. Muramidase was present in serum, plasma, and saliva but was not found in aqueous humor. Neither of these bactericidal agents were detectable in vitreous humor, spinal fluid, urine or in normal tissue washings. Inflammation resulted in the accumulation of high concentrations of extracellular β-lysin and muramidase at tissue sites where these compounds are not normally found. Evidence was presented implicating leukocytes as the source of free muramidase and platelets as the source of extracellular β-lysin at inflammatory sites.
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