BACTERICIDAL AND ANTIGENIC QUALITIES OF THE WASHINGS OF BLOWFLY MAGGOTS

Abstract

Washings of mixtures of maggots of Calliphora erythrocephala, C. latifrons, C. vomitoria nigribarda and Cynomya cadaverina, and of C. erythrocephala alone, showed bactericidal activity against Staph. aureus, Strep. mastitidis, two strains of Brucella abortus, and B. typhosus in vitro. Flies were successfully raised in the laboratory but washings from their maggots became less active with each generation. The pH value of active samples was generally greater than that of poor samples. Attempts to increase activity by rendering poor washings alkaline were unsuccessful. Diluted washings showed some bactericidal power. Keeping quality of liquid samples was poorer than that of dried ones. Washings from meat in which maggots had been grown had a definite bactericidal value, while those from control samples of meat had none. A suspension of maggots ground after washing was also inactive. Addition of Br. abortus to meat on which maggots were grown did not increase bactericidal activity against this organism. Filtration reduced bactericidal action and toxicity. Intraperitoneal injections were toxic to guinea pigs. An anti-maggot rabbit serum had good complement fixing power with an antigen of maggot washings. Intraperitoneal injections of diluted washings failed to protect guinea pigs against infection with Br. abortus, but there was some delay in development of infection, as indicated by slower appearance of agglutinins in treated animals.