Reversal of the bactericidal reaction of serum by magnesium ion

Abstract

Muschel, Louis H. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis), and Jean E. Jackson. Reversal of the bactericidal reaction of serum by magnesium ion. J. Bacteriol. 91:1399-1402. 1966.-Magnesium ion was found to reverse the bactericidal action of the antibody-complement system. Concentrations of 0.03 to 0.11 m MgSO(4) or MgCl(2) were effective, provided that the reaction of the antibody-complement system did not proceed longer than 50 min. Salts of other monovalent and divalent cations, the polyamine, spermine, and several anticomplementary substances were inactive in reversing the serum bactericidal reaction. Thus, the bactericidal reaction of serum may be bacteriostatic under certain conditions, and this finding is compatible with the persistence of infection in certain diseases despite high levels of antibody.