STUDIES ON A TOXIC CELLULAR COMPONENT OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI

Abstract

Remittent multinodular lesions of dermal connective tissue were produced in rabbits with a single intradermal injection of a soluble extract of sonic disrupted group A streptococcal cells. The typical lesion, consisting of widely separated nodules, developed from 3 to 13 days following the injection. A remarkable feature was the occurrence of remissions and exacerbations over a period of at least 30 days following the single injection. Histological studies revealed reactions varying from actue inflammatory changes associated with necrosis of connective tissue to focal collections of mononuclear and giant cells. Extracts of streptococci other than group A failed to induce this remittent multinodular reaction. The activity of the extract was markedly reduced by a temperature of 100[degree]C for 5 minutes and appeared to be modified by specific antiserum.