Mycoplasmacidal Effect of Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Extract

Abstract
The effect of leukocyte extract on the viability of certain human Mycoplasma was investigated. Leukocytes were obtained from venous blood of human donors or from glycogen-induced peritoneal exudate of rabbits. The cells were suspended in citrate buffer at various pH values and the extract was prepared by repeated quick-freezing and thawing. The supernatant of these preparations showed a marked mycoplasmacidal effect on M. pneumoniae, M. salivarium and M. fermentans. Fractionation with ammonium sulfate revealed that the activity of this extract resides in the fraction obtained at 40% to 60% saturation of ammonium sulfate. This mycoplasmacidal factor exhibits optimal activity at about pH 4.7, is non-dialyzable and is relatively heat resistant.