A Factor in the Serum of Patients with Persisting Infection That Inhibits the Bactericidal Activity of Normal Serum against the Organism That is Causing the Infection

Abstract

Summary In some patients with chronic bacterial infections due to gram-negative bacilli the serum is found to contain a factor that inhibits the killing power of normal serum for the particular bacterial strain. The factor is heat stable and strain specific. It has not been found in the absence of chronic infection. It is found commonly, but not regularly, among patients exhibiting chronic pyelonephritis. Whether the factor causes, results from, or only accompanies chronic bacterial infections remains unknown.