Abstract
Summary
Experiments were designed to show whether bacteria chemotropically attract leukocytes directly, or only indirectly as the result of injuring cells and tissues and causing these to liberate chemotropic substances. Clumps of Staph. albus on a glass slide were separated from a suspension of rabbit's leukocytes by a zone of cell-free plasma. Leukocytes moved into the inner ring of plasma and made their way to the bacteria, showing strong positive chemotropism. Values of chemotropism obtained before any leukocytes reached the bacteria represent the reaction to bacteria alone, no tissue-cells being present in the clump of bacteria. After a number of leukocytes reached the bacteria and began to phagocytize them, the value of chemotropism was determined for other leukocytes en route to the bacteria. The two values of chemotropism were not significantly different. It is concluded that leukocytes may react chemotropically to substances given off directly by bacteria.
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