Pathogenesis of Experimental Cholera: Identification of Choleragen (Procholeragen A) by Disc Immunoelectro-Phoresis and Its Differentiation from Cholera Mucinase

Abstract

Choleragen, an antigenic, choleragenic moiety elaborated by some cholera vibrio strains in vitro, has been identified by disc immunoelectrophoresis as a protein migrating in a manner similar to human 7 S γ-globulin. Although preparations of choleragen have mucinolytic activity which is neutralized by antiserum against choleragen, the mucinase has been proven to be a separate entity which is not involved in the production of the diarrhea of experimental cholera. Similarly, it is choleragen, and not mucinase, which causes an increase of vascular permeability characterized by a delayed but sustained erythematous, edematous induration. Choleragen elaborated in vitro by an Ogawa serotype El Tor vibrio was serologically identical to that produced by the routinely used Inaba serotype classical cholera vibrio strain.