Mucin-Like Enhancement of Microbial Virulence for Mice by Bile Salts and Certain Surfactants

Abstract

Intraperitoneal injection of non-toxic concentrations of a bile salts mixture and certain anionic and non-ionic surfactants into mice followed by adjusted non-lethal inocula of a variety of microbial strains results in a significant enhancement of the latter''s virulence for mice. With few exceptions, mortality induced with these adjuvants is associated with a high incidence of bacteremia involving the intraperitoneally injected microorganism as determined by heart blood cultures. The probable role of these adjuvants and the relative advantages of employing surfactants in place of gastric mucin is mentioned.