Action of some pancreatic enzymes on Vibrio cholerae.

The action of pancreatic amylase, trypsin, lipase, and whole pancreatin was tested on five strains of Bibrio cholerae. Amylase did not act on any strain in concentrations to 10,000 IU/ml whereas trypsin increased vacuolization and lipase enhanced retraction of the protoplasm particularly in 2 of the 5 tested vibrio strains. Pancreatin caused damage hoth of the cell wall and the cytoplasm. It is suggested that these enzymes may play a role in the defense of the body against cholera vibrios.