Abstract
Summary
Spiny lobsters, P. argus, immunized with living or killed bacteria, have been shown to synthesize a nondialyzable bactericidin. This substance was present in the hemolymph and was usually detectable within 12 hours. In the primary response, it reached a peak within 24-48 hours. The most effective antigen was a gram-negative bacillus, EMB-1, isolated from the normal intestinal flora of healthy P. argus. Varying results were obtained when specificity was tested with heterologous bacteria, but the bactericidin was less specific than mammalian antibody. Heating at 65°C for 20 min was required for complete inactivation. EDTA, dialysis, carrageenin, and freezing failed to inactivate this substance. It could be adsorbed by homologous and heterologous bacteria.
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