Interaction of salmonella with phagocytes in vitro

Abstract

The investigation of the fate of bacteria which are normally intracellular parasites has interested workers for many years. or special interest have been the roles played by phagocytic cells and immune sera in the resistance of animals against infections produced by these organisms. The research whose results are presented here was undertaken to study the role of phagocytic cells (macrophages) in immunity to Salmonella typhosa. Experiments were performed with macrophages isolated from the peritoneal cavities of mice. Cultures of these cells were prepared, and infected with virulent and avirulent strains of S. typhosa and Salmonella typhimurium. Streptomycin was added to some cultures after the period of phagocytosis to prevent extracellular growth of the bacteria. The phagocytic and bactericidal abilities of the macrophages were determined by comparisons of viable counts of organisms released from the cells and the number of intracellular bacteria on stained cover slip preparations [TRUNCATED]