muramidase and Meningococcal-Infections

The antilysozyme activity of 184 meningococcal strains was studied. Such activity was found in all strains within the range 1-25 micrograms/ml, which was due to the heterogeneity of bacterial population. Strains varying in the total level of their lysozyme activity differed in the population structure by this sign. Preparations inhibiting antilysozyme activity could be differentiated according to the character of their action by the method of the population analysis. In the process of phagocytosis the selection of clones with a high level of antilysozyme activity was found to occur. The antilysozyme factor, heat resistant protein with a molecular weight of 10,000-30,000 D, was sensitive to trypsin.

Topics: Bacterial Proteins; Humans; Meningococcal Infections; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Micrococcus luteus; Molecular Weight; Muramidase; Neisseria meningitidis; Phagocytosis

The course of meningococcal infection and nonspecific and specific immunity in children subjected to different regimens of pathogenetic therapy were studied. It was shown that the clinico-immunological indices were more favourable in children treated with lasix as a diuretic agent. Recovery with defects was observed in 6.8 per cent of the children of this group, while in patients subjected to routine treatment the respective value amounted to 14.6 per cent. The use of lasix in combination with penicillin increased the efficacy of penicillin therapy and shortened the recovery period by 8.4 +/- 0.2 days as compared to that of routine treatment. No unfavourable effect of elevated penicillin concentrations on the lysozyme activity, blood bactericidal characteristics and composition of immunoglobulins A, M and G in the children was recorded.

Topics: Adolescent; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Child; Child, Preschool; Drug Therapy, Combination; Furosemide; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Infant; Meningitis, Meningococcal; Meningococcal Infections; Muramidase; Penicillins; Sepsis; Syndrome

Immunoepidemiological study in groups of children of different ages was carried out. The study comprised the monthly bacteriological examination of the members of these groups and selective determination of the presence of specific meningococcal A- and C-antibodies, IgA, IgM and IgG in the blood serum, as well as the lysozyme activity of the saliva. The results thus obtained indicated that during the whole year two rises in the level of meningococcal carriership, in autumn and in spring, were registered, while the cases of meningococcal diseases were absent. The first rise was due to the influence of the conditions under which the groups had been formed, as well as to some decrease in specific immunity characteristics and nonspecific protective factors; the second rise occurred simultaneously with a considerable decrease in the content of specific meningococcal A- and O-antibodies.

Topics: Adolescent; Antibodies, Bacterial; Carrier State; Child; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Lithuania; Meningococcal Infections; Muramidase; Neisseria meningitidis; Seasons; Urban Population

Local and humoral immunity factors have been studied in 152 patients with different forms of meningococcal infection. The peculiar pattern of the time course of changes in these factors, depending on the clinical form of the disease, has been revealed. In the generalized form of infection changes in the immunological characteristics of the saliva and blood serum (lysozyme, secretory immunoglobulin, immunoglobulins of the main classes and specific antimeningococcal antibodies) have been shown to be more essential than in the localized form.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antibody Formation; Female; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunoglobulins; Male; Meningitis, Meningococcal; Meningococcal Infections; Muramidase; Nasopharyngitis; Pharyngitis; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Saliva; Time Factors

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Complement System Proteins; Female; Humans; Immunity; Male; Meningococcal Infections; Muramidase; Time Factors

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Lysine; Male; Meningococcal Infections; Middle Aged; Muramidase