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The effect of antilymphocyte serum on subcutaneous staphylococcal lesions in normal, immune and C’5-deficient mice was studied. In general, the inflammatory response at 4 hr was suppressed or reduced, and the 24-hr count of non-virulent bacteria rose to the level normally reached by virulent strains, but no lesion developed. The effect of antilymphocyte serum on the severity of lesions due to virulent strains depended on the size of the inoculum, the strain of staphylococcus and the variety of mice used. The treatment of B10 D2 mice, whether normal or complement-deficient, with antilymphocyte serum increased the severity of the lesion.
Antilymphocyte serum had no effect on the action of α-lysin, but reduced the inflammatory response to cotton dust and to turpentine.
Immunised mice treated with antilymphocyte serum behaved more like unimmunised mice, but did not develop lesions.
When large doses of PS80 were administered, the complement-deficient strains of B10 D2 mice produced smaller early inflammatory responses, and developed bigger lesions containing more bacteria, than did normal B10 D2 mice.
The results are discussed in relation to the mode of action of antilymphocyte serum, the pathogenesis of staphylococcal lesions and the defensive role of complement.