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Interaction of Rickettsiae and Phagocytic Host Cells

III. Opsonizing Antibodies in Human Subjects Infected with Virulent or Attenuated Rickettsia Prowazekii or Inoculated with Killed Epidemic Typhus Vaccine¹

Department of Microbiology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland

Abstract

Infection of human subjects with virulent or attenuated (Strain E) Rickettsia prowazekii was followed within 2 weeks by the appearance of antibodies which would enhance phagocytosis of homologous rickettsiae by mouse peritoneal leukocytes. Although an injection of conventional killed epidemic typhus vaccine appeared to cause more rapid appearance of antibodies (by the end of 1 week), the titers attained at this time were low and, on the average, did not increase significantly in later specimens. Serum from all groups also enhanced phagocytosis of R. mooseri but for the most part these antibodies occurred in lower titers than the antibodies involved in the opsonization of R. prowazekii. The cross-reactions observed with the murine typhus antigen tended to be lower relative to the homologous reaction in the group which received the living attenuated (E strain) vaccine than in the other groups studied.

Footnotes

¹ This study was largely supported by Grant No. EC-988, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U. S. Public Health Service.

² Dr. Gauld was Assistant Resident in Medicine at the University Hospital, Baltimore, at the time of his participation in this study. He is now at the 7th Logistical Command, Preventive Medicine Section, APO 47, San Francisco, California.