Action of Bacillus cereus Toxins on Chicken Erythrocytes. ∗ †

Abstract

Conclusions

1. Chicken erythrocytes exposed to the toxins of Bacillus cereus undergo a change in the surface of the cells which eventually leads to hemolysis. 2. Rabbit erythrocytes similarly treated are much more slowly altered by the toxins, but eventually do show a “fragility” change. 3. There is no significant change in the total lipid, total cholesterol or free cholesterol content of the experimental cells. 4. The experimental cells hemolyze more rapidly in solutions of non-electrolytes. 5. There is an increase in “fragility” and in the size of the experimental cells. 6. The toxins have no effect on the rate of shrinking of cells placed in 1.25× Ringer Locke following previous equilibration in 0.6 M dvcerol in Ringer Locke.