The effect of antibody on intracellular parasitism of Salmonella typhimurium in mononuclear phagocytes in vitro: prolonged survival of infected monocytes in presence of antibody.

The effect of antibody on the fate of Salmonella typhimurium within mononuclear phagocytes (MN) of rabbits was studied in vitro. Monocytes and bacteria were incubated either in absence or presence of antibody. After 45 minutes during which phagocytosis occurred infected cells were washed to remove extracellular bacilli and free antibody. The cells were then reincubated in a medium without addition of antibody, and the interaction between the MN and bacteria was followed, correlating bacterial viability and the morphology of the mixture. The following results were obtained. The anti-Salmonella antibody was not bactericidal even in presence of complement and did not enhance phagocytosis. Regardless of whether antibody was present or absent during phagocytosis, the bacteria appeared to multiply within the cells. When no antibody was present during phagocytosis the infected cells were severely damaged within a few hours of incubation, and extensive extracellular multiplication was dominating. When antibody was present during phagocytosis MN packed with bacteria persisted for a long time. Little or no extracellular growth occurred. It was possible to demonstrate the presence of the antibody within the infected MN, using the fluorescent antibody technique. The antibody appeared as a coat around the bacteria. Antibody entered the cells only during phagocytosis, presumably attached to the bacteria. The active factor of the immune serum was found in the gamma globulin fraction and reacted specifically with the somatic antigen of Salmonella typhimurium. The antiflagellar portion of the antiserum was not involved in the phenomenon described. It is concluded that this antibody protects monocytes against the effect of intracellularly located Salmonella.