Inhibition of Bacterial (Escherichia Coli) Modification of Erythrocytes

Abstract

The modification of red blood cells by boiled suspensions of E. coli serogroups 026, 055 and 0111 is inhibited by human and animal sera as well as by egg yolk and various fractions of rat liver. Certain human plasma fractions in concn. of 0.1% (particularly fractions IV-1, IV-7 and albumin) are likewise effective, whereas others are not. This inhibition is due largely to the action of the inhibitor on the bacterial antigen rather than on the red blood cell. The significance of the results is discussed.