Experiments on the Effect of Agglutinins

[摘要] Introduction. As to the part which the agglutinins play in immunity we have yet little evidence. These bodies were formerly regarded as possessing a protective and curative power, but the bacteria that have been acted upon by them are apparently not altered in appearance and are as virulent as before agglutination. They can even grow in a specific agglutinating serum. Much of the work on this question tends, therefore, to show that they are not indicators of existing immunity. At present the agglutinins are generally regarded as playing a subsidiary rôle in immunity and as an aid to bacteriolysis and phagocytosis.The following studies were undertaken in our laboratory in order to see whether agglutinins have any influence (1) on the glycolytic action of bacteria, (2) on the permeability of bacteria and red blood corpuscles for glucose solution and (3) on the resistence of red blood corpuscles for salt solution.

[学科分类] 生物科学（综合）