A Bactericidin for Bacillus subtilis in Mammalian Saliva.

Abstract

Sera and saliva from human beings and guinea pigs possessed very low or undetectable amounts of the bactericidin for B. subtilis. Rabbit saliva contained about 1/4-1/2 the rabbit serum level. In marked contrast, the serum of the rat contained high levels of this bactericidin, whereas rat saliva demonstrated no activity. The nondialyzable portion of the bactericidal system was lacking in the rat saliva; the cofactor was present.