THE EFFECT OF CAPSULAR POLYSACCHARIDE AND LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE OF BACTEROIDES-FRAGILIS ON POLYMORPH FUNCTION AND SERUM KILLING

The determinant responsible for the ability of Bacteroides spp. to inhibit [human] polymorph phagocytic killing of aerobic organisms has not yet been identified. Thus, the roles of lipopolysaccharide and capsular polysaccharide of B. fragilis were investigated. Serum-resistant and serum-sensitive strains of Proteus mirabilis were used to indicate inhibition of phagocytic killing and serum killing of aerobes. Whole organisms of B. fragilis, purified lipopolysaccharide and capsular polysaccharide were added to an in-vitro phagocytosis system. Results showed that > 107 bacteroides/ml inhibited both serum and phagocytic killing. Concentrations < 107/ml had little effect on either process. Purified capsular polysaccharide (10 or 100 .mu.g/ml), either alone in the system or in combination with sub-inhibitory concentrations of B. fragilis also markedly inhibited serum and phagocytic killing. Lipopolysaccharide (9 .mu.g/ml) appeared relatively inert. B. ovatus, reputedly non-capsulated, produced identical results to those obtained with B. fragilis, but an encapsulated strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae did not inhibit serum or phagocytic killing.