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Observations on the Production of an Antihaemotoxin for the Haemotoxin of Bacterium Welchii (Bacillus Aerogenes Capsulatus)

Department of Bacteriology, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University

Abstract

It has previously been shown by Ford and Lawrence (1) that the hemolytic property of milk cultures of Bacterium welchii is to be attributed to the production of a true bacterial haemolysin or haemotoxin by this organism. The opinion previously held that the destruction of blood corpuscles in cultures of this species is due to the presence of acids (butyric and lactic) is not justified, since milk cultures retain their blood-laking powers after complete neutralisation. In tests with the neutralised whey the discoloration of the corpuscles due to the production of methaemoglobin from acids is not seen and the haemolysed blood takes on the brilliant red color usual with true bacterial haemotoxins. Furthermore, cultures of the gas bacillus lose their haemolytic activity on being heated to 62–63°C., while solutions of both butyric and lactic acids can be boiled some time without losing their power to destroy blood corpuscles.