ISSN:
1420-9071
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary After the evocation of classic notions about morphology and physiology of free and fixed phagocytes, and their role in the defense of organism against infections, writers give new observations on two principal points. 1. They show that polysaccharids, to which the grampositive bacteria owe their specificity, are the most important agents responsable of the migration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in inflamed connective tissue. 2. They show that bacterial endotoxins, nature of which is glucido-lipido-polypeptidic, and which are also antigens O “complets” of gram-negative micro-organisms, appear able to stop the coming of polymorphonuclears in inflamed connective tissues. The endotoxins kill not leukocytes; they are not leucocidins, but they prevent diapedesis through a mechanism still obscure. For this reason, they favour the development of infections. Ultimately, writers tell how the two great theories of immunity, cellular theory ofMetchnikoff and humoral theory of german authors, can mary together: in vivo, phagocytes have the first and also the last word to kill bacteria, but their work is very much easier after opsonization with antibodies.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02151733
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