Protective role of complement in experimental Escherichia coli endocarditis.

摘要: Fourteen strains of Escherichia coli were tested for ability to cause infective endocarditis in rabbits prepared by prior placement an intracardiac catheter. Strains that resistant the bactericidal action serum caused E. 91.4% rabbits, whereas serum-sensitive usually failed persisting infection (11.3% infected, P less than 0.001). Although lodged on heart valves within 1 h after intravenous injection, they survived 24 most normal rabbits. In contrast normals, all five C6-deficient injected with a strain developed (P 0.005). No correlation was found between presence K1 antigen and incidence experimental endocarditis. Thus, establish endocardial appears be directly associated resistance complement-mediated system. These findings may explain part rarity gram-negative bacillary patients; also indicate certain special circumstances system can play decisive role host defense.