Pathogenicitic Characterization of Purified beta-Hemolysin - Produced by Vibrio mimicus

ABSTRACT

In order to investigate the main factor of pathogenicity in V. mimicus, we have studied the toxic effects of j3-hemolysin produced by V. mimicus. The purified hemolysin of V. mimicus was active erythrocytes from three animal species including mouse, rabbit and rat, but the hemolysin was most active against rabbit erythrocyte. The hemolysin lysed cultured cell and killed mouse. Rapid death of mouse was observed with rather small doses of the toxin. Intravenous injection of 20 mg of the purified toxin killed mice within 25 sec. The hemolysin also had a lethal effect on intraperitoneal injection into mice although less than on intravenous injection. Purified hemolysin injected rabbits had large morphological change in jejunum. In electron micrograph of thin sections of the human erythrocytes, cells were threated with the hemolysin at 37 C for 5 min., significant changes were not observed. But after 10 min., hemolysis was observed and after 60 min., complete degradation of human erythrocyte was observed.