Toxins and Antitoxins of Bacillus Dysenteriae Shiga.
Abstract: With the methods which have been described we have separated an exotoxin and an endotoxin from cultures of the Shiga dysenteric bacillus. The study of the nature and effect of the poison of this microorganism is thus simplified. The two toxins are physically and biologically distinct. The exotoxin is relatively heat-labile, arises in the early period of growth, and yields an antiexotoxic immune serum. The endotoxin, on the other hand, is heat-stable, is formed in the later period of growth, and is not neutralized by the antiexotoxic serum. The exotoxin exhibits a specific affinity for the central nervous organs in the rabbit, giving rise to a characteristic lesion-mainly, hemorrhages, necroses, and possibly a perivascular infiltration in the gray matter of the upper spinal cord and medulla. The endotoxin exerts a typical action on the intestinal tract, producing edema, hemorrhages, necroses, and ulcerations, especially in the large intestine. In dysentery in man the intestinal lesions predominate, but in severe epidemics paralysis and neuritis have been observed (Osler(17)). These facts become specially significant from the standpoint of the serum therapy of bacillary dysentery. A potent antidysenteric serum should contain antibodies against the exotoxin as well as the endotoxin. That such a serum can be produced in horses has been experimentally demonstrated.
Publication Date: 1920-01-01 PubMed ID: 19868386PubMed Central: PMC2128219DOI: 10.1084/jem.31.1.19Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article focuses on the study of endotoxins and exotoxins produced by Shiga dysenteric bacillus and the potential for serum-based therapeutic intervention against these toxins for the treatment of bacillary dysentery.
Exotoxins and Endotoxins
- Exploring the poisons created by the Shiga dysenteric bacillus, the researchers were able to distinguish between two different kinds of toxins—the exotoxin and the endotoxin—based on their physical and biological characteristics.
- The exotoxin was observed to be relatively heat-labile, meaning it can be destroyed or deactivated by heat. It also appeared to be produced during the early stage of bacterial growth and could produce an immune serum that neutralized it, termed antiexotoxic immune serum.
- The endotoxin, on the contrary, was heat-stable and developed in the later stages of growth. It was not neutralized by the antiexotoxic serum.
Effects of the Toxins
- The exotoxin showed a distinct affinity towards the central nervous system in rabbits, causing specific lesions such as hemorrhages, necroses, and a potential perivascular infiltration in key areas of the brain.
- The endotoxin had a significant impact on the intestinal tract, causing swelling, hemorrhages, necroses, and ulcerations, especially in the large intestine.
- In cases of human dysentery, the intestinal lesions were more pronounced. However, in severe outbreaks, symptoms indicating central nervous system disruption—like paralysis and neuritis—have also been reported.
Implications for Serum Therapy
- The findings are highly pertinent to the treatment strategies for bacillary dysentery, particularly in the formulation of serum therapy.
- An effective serum would need to contain antibodies that could neutralize both the exotoxin and the endotoxin.
- According to the researchers, the development of such a serum is indeed possible, as demonstrated by their experimental tests on horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Olitsky PK, Kligler IJ.
(1920).
Toxins and Antitoxins of Bacillus Dysenteriae Shiga.
J Exp Med, 31(1), 19-33.
https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.31.1.19 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratories of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
References
This article includes 2 references
- Flexner S, Sweet JE. THE PATHOGENESIS OF EXPERIMENTAL COLITIS, AND THE RELATION OF COLITIS IN ANIMALS AND MAN.. J Exp Med 1906 Aug 1;8(4):514-35.
- Flexner S, Amoss HL. THE RAPID PRODUCTION OF ANTIDYSENTERIC SERUM.. J Exp Med 1915 May 1;21(5):515-24.
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Goebel WF. STUDIES ON THE FLEXNER GROUP OF DYSENTERY BACILLI : VI. THE DETOXIFICATION OF SHIGELLA PARADYSENTERIAE BY MEANS OF PERIODIC ACID. J Exp Med 1947 Apr 30;85(5):499-514.
- Dubos RJ, Geiger JW. PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF SHIGA TOXIN AND TOXOID. J Exp Med 1946 Jul 31;84(2):143-56.
- Penner A, Bernheim AI. STUDIES IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF EXPERIMENTAL DYSENTERY INTOXICATION. J Exp Med 1942 Sep 1;76(3):271-82.
- HEYMANN G. [Experimental studies on the poisons of dysenteric bacteria. IV. Specificity of acute poisonous effects]. Z Hyg Infektionskr 1953;138(1):81-93.
- Henderson JS. Endotoxin as adjuvator to the transplantation of a mouse mammary tumor. J Exp Med 1968 Dec 1;128(6):1363-75.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
