Bactericidal and bacteriolytic activity of serum against gram-negative bacteria

Abstract

The large number of studies devoted to serum bactericidal and bacteriolytic reactions have not been the subject of a full literature survey since 1972. Since then, a number of important advances in our understanding of the activation of complement pathways by viable gram-negative bacteria and of the nature of the bacterial surface in relation to host-parasite interactions justify a reexamination of these reactions. Bactericidal and bacteriolytic systems are also discussed in relation to the defense of the host against infection.