OBSERVATIONS ON THE PHAGOCYTOSIS OF THE PNEUMOCOCCUS BY HUMAN WHOLE BLOOD : I. THE NORMAL PHAGOCYTIC TITRE, AND THE ANTI-PHAGOCYTIC EFFECT OF THE SPECIFIC SOLUBLE SUBSTANCE.
1. The phagocytic titre of whole human blood against the three types of pneumococcus was determined in a number of individuals. The titre varied over a considerable range in different subjects. 2. Contrary to expectation, the titre in early cases of untreated pneumonia was quite high against the infecting organism, pointing to a local rather than a general lowering of resistance in infection with this organism. 3. Sia's work was confirmed, that the specific carbohydrate has a specific anti-phagocytic action on the blood. This action is more marked in the case of Type III than in Type I.
Department of Bacteriology and Immunology of the Harvard University Medical School, Boston.
H K
HK
Ward