The bactericidal activity of sera of healthy neonates and newborns with hyperbilirubinaemia to E. coli.
Cord and newborn sera were found to possess a significantly decreased in vitro bactericidal activity to E. coli as compared to sera of adults. Hyperbilirubinaemia in neonataes suffering from both Rh and ABO incompatibility results in a further significant impairment of bactericidal activity of their sera in comparison to healthy newborn infants. Exchange transfusion considerably improved this serum antibacterial activity. The possible mechanism of toxic action of unconjugated bilirubin on the cells of the immune system is discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged