Interaction of Vibrio vulnificus with Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes: Association of Virulence with Resistance to Phagocytosis

Abstract

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) exhibited a significantly weaker chemiluminescent response and phagocytic response when interacting with a virulent strain of the bacterium than when challenged with a weakly virulent strain of the bacterium. Rabbit antiserum to the virulent bacterium, but not normal rabbit serum, significantly enhanced the chemiluminescent response of PMNL challenged with the virulent bacterium and significantly enhanced ingestion of the bacterium by the PMNL. The opsonic activity of the antiserum was removed by adsorption with a formalin-killed, whole cell preparation of the virulent bacterium. Virulence of V. vulnificus is evidently associated, at least in part, with resistance to phagocytosis. The ability of the bacterium to resist phagocytosis may result from its possession of an antiphagocytic surface antigen.