Lysozyme activity in the coelomic fluid and coelomocytes of the earthworm Eisenia foetida sav. In relation to bacterial infection

Abstract

1. 1. Coelomic fluid and extracts of coelomocytes of E. foetida contain a substance resembling lysozyme in addition to the heat-sensitive bacteriolytic substance first described by Roch, P. Thèse l'Univ. Bordeaux I 648, 1-156 (1980). 2. 2. Although activity levels in fluid are normally low the enzyme may be released from coelomocytes as part of an internal defence mechanism against particular bacterial species encountered in the environment. 3. 3. M. lysodeikticus, B. thuringiensis, A. hydrophila and S. marcescens all grew in cell-free coelomic fluid. 4. 4. Vaccination with formalized M. lysodeikticus enhanced activity levels in coelomic fluid probably as a result of release from coelomocytes. © 1984.