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A Receptor-Destroying Enzyme in Human Saliva and Its Possible Relation to Poliomyelitis Infection

From the Department of Bacteriology and Experimental Pathology, Netherlands Institute for Preventive Medicine, Leiden, Netherlands

Abstract

1. The presence of a receptor-destroying enzyme in human saliva, previously described by Jungeblut, Horvath and Knox, is confirmed. The enzyme appeared to be closely related to, if not identical with, the receptor-destroying enzyme (RDE) obtained from cultures of Vibrio cholerae.

2. When individuals were tested over a period of several consecutive days, consistently negative samples were obtained from some persons while others had varying amounts of the enzyme in their saliva which fluctuated irregularly from day to day.

3. Saliva samples were collected from 64 poliomyelitis patients and from a control group of 47 persons, including healthy individuals and patients ill with other diseases, each person donating at least 6 specimens. It was found that the poliomyelitis patients secreted the enzyme more frequently than the controls.

4. The observed difference between the two groups of persons is discussed in its possible relation to the mechanism of poliomyelitic infection.