Influence of guinea pig plasma factors on phagocytosis of Pasteurella pestis. II. Plasma from plague-infected guinea pigs.

Stanziale, W. G. (Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.) and J. D. White. Influence of guinea pig plasma factors on phagocytosis of Pasteurella pestis. II. Plasma from plague-infected guinea pigs. J. Bacteriol. 83:182-186. 1962.-The phagocytosis enhancing property of normal guinea pig plasma was altered during experimental plague infection. The most notable changes occurred in the plasma from afebrile, moribund animals and from those convalescing from acute infection. The plasma of the moribund guinea pigs, which was obtained 7 to 8 days after exposure to Pasteurella pestis, inhibited phagocytosis to a considerable degree. Plasma from convalescent guinea pigs enhanced phagocytosis to a higher degree than the plasma of normal animals. In contrast, plasma from recovered guinea pigs in which cultural or serological evidence of infection was not demonstrated enhanced phagocytosis to a degree equivalent to that of normal plasma. Plasma taken from guinea pigs during the febrile phase of plague infection enhanced phagocytosis to a lower degree than did normal plasma.