Serum Bactericidal Activity in the Horseshoe Crab, Limulus Polyphemus

Overview

Journal Infect Immun

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 1976 Oct 1

PMID 11188

Citations 1

Authors

T G Pistole

R M Furman

Affiliations

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Abstract

Serum from the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, was examined for bactericidal activity against five species of bacteria. Greatest activity was found against Pseudomonas putida and Flavobacterium sp.; with the former, serum dilutions as high as 1:20 were capable of reducing viable counts by 50% within 2 h. Bactericidal activity of a significantly lesser magnitude was demonstrated against Serratia marcesencs and Salmonella minnesota. No killing was seen when the lobster pathogen Aerococcus viridans (formerly Gaffkya homari) was used. The cidal activity against Flavobacterium sp. remained relatively consistent for 6 months.

Citing Articles

Defence of invertebrates against bacterial infection.

Dales R J R Soc Med. 1979; 72(9):688-96.

PMID: 552575 PMC: 1436989. DOI: 10.1177/014107687907200912.

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