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Opsonizing antibodies against pneumococci detected by enhanced NBT reduction of phagocytizing granulocytes

Nachweis opsonierender Antikörper gegen Pneumokokken durch erhöhte NBT-Reduktion phagozytierender Granulozyten

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Summary

Specific opsonizing antibodies against pneumococci were demonstrated in serum by measuring their effect on the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction of normal human granulocytes. In comparison to normal serum, convalescent sera from patients with severe pneumococcal disease caused a significant enhancement in NBT reduction in the presence of homologous antigen. Enhanced NBT reduction was observed in 24 of the 26 sera tested and was further increased by complement. The reaction was mainly type-specific, although a few cross-reactions did occur. A dose-response effect was observed when sera were tested in two-fold dilutions. The enhancement in NBT reduction could be partially eliminated by the absorption of sera with homologous antigens. The appearance and subsequent increase in opsonizing antibodies was observed in consecutive samples from one patient. This method can be useful in the study of immunological responses to pneumococcal vaccine or disease, since it measures antibodies which are essential for immune defence.

Zusammenfassung

Zur Bestimmung spezifischer opsonierender Antikörper gegen Pneumokokken im Serum wurde ihr Einfluß auf die Nitroblau-Tetrazolium (NBT)-Reduktion normaler menschlicher Granulozyten gemessen. Rekonvaleszentenseren von Patienten mit schweren Pneumokokkenerkrankungen führten zu einer im Vergleich zu normalem Serum signifikanten Erhöhung der NBT-Reduktion in Anwesenheit von homologem Antigen. Dieser Anstieg der NBT-Reduktion wurde in 24 von 26 untersuchten Seren beobachtet; er konnte durch Komplement weiter erhöht werden. Die Reaktion war weitgehend Typen-spezifisch, obwohl einige Kreuzreaktionen vorkamen. Bei Testung der Seren in zweifachen Verdünnungsstufen zeigte sich ein Dosis-Wirk-Effekt. Durch Absorption der Seren mit homologen Antigenen konnte die Verstärkung der NBT-Reduktion zum Teil aufgehoben werden. In aufeinanderfolgenden Serumproben von einem Patienten ließ sich das Auftreten und anschließend der Anstieg opsonierender Antikörper beobachten. Die Methode kann für die Überprüfung der Immunantwort auf Pneumokokkenvakzine und/oder-Erkrankung nutzbringend sein, da sie die für die Immunabwehr erforderlichen Antikörper erfaßt.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Bacteriology of the Karolinska Institute at Roslagstull Hospital, Box 5651, S-11489, Stockholm, Sweden

    Teresa Urban B. Sc., Connie Jarstrand M. D. & Gösta Tunevall M. D.

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  1. Teresa Urban B. Sc.
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  2. Connie Jarstrand M. D.
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  3. Gösta Tunevall M. D.
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Urban, T., Jarstrand, C. & Tunevall, G. Opsonizing antibodies against pneumococci detected by enhanced NBT reduction of phagocytizing granulocytes. Infection 10, 271–276 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01640872

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