Cell phenomena in experimental viral-bacterial infections in mice. IV. Bactericidal activity of peritoneal granulocytes in experimental viral and viral-bacterial infections.

Bactericidal activity of mouse peritoneal granulocytes was examined on the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 14th day after infection. 18-hour-old S. aureus 209P culture was used for examination. Human serum of AB group was used for opsonization. The mixture of bacteria, leukocytes and serum was placed at 37 degrees C for 2 h. Every 30 minutes the samples were taken to estimate the total number of living bacteria and the number of live intracellular bacteria. In the group of animals infected with bacteria as well as in the animals infected with non-adapted influenza viruses, granulocytes showed increased intracellular killing of test bacteria. The decrease of bactericidal activity of granulocytes was observed when they were taken from mice infected with adapted influenza viruses. In mixed infections, with the use of non-adapted virus and bacteria, the decrease of bactericidal activity of granulocytes was observed on the 6th and 9th day after infection. In the group of animals infected simultaneously with non-adapted virus and bacteria, increased bactericidal activity of granulocytes was observed in the initial period of infection. At the same time, on the 14th day this ability significantly decreased.