Abstract
Summary
Three types of phagocytosis depending upon the degree of encapsulation of the engulfed pneumococci, have ken observed in the sputum of patients suffering from lobar pneumonia. Clumping of capsulated pneumococci similar to agglutination and an increased phagocytosis of these organisms was evident in the sputum shortly after the administration of specific horse or rabbit antibody. Spontaneous clumping of capsulated pneumococci was observed in the sputum of 4 patients prior to therapy suggesting that a similar mechanism is involved in the development of active immunity. Further studies on the relation of the above phenomena to the clinical condition of'the patient and the adequacy of serum dosage are now in progress.
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