The Sensitivity of Smooth and Rough Gram-Negative Bacteria to the Immune Bactericidal Reaction

Abstract

Rough strains of gram-negative bacteria are not necessarily more sensitive than smooth strains to the bactericidal action of normal serum or C. The resistance of certain smooth strains to C may merely reflect a lack of normal antibody in serum. Other smooth organisms may be refractory to C even when sensitized with homologous antiserum. In such instances, it is believed that the C-sensitive substance may be too far removed or inaccessible to the C enzymes activated by antigen–antibody complexes on the cell surface (6).