Localization and Persistence of Group A Streptococci Labeled with Fluorescein Isothiocyanate in the Reticuloendothelial System of Mice
1971 Volume 26 Issue 2 Pages 29-35
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1971 Volume 26 Issue 2 Pages 29-35
Group A streptococci (type 5) were labeled with relatively low concentrations (50-100mcg/ml) of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). At these concentrations neither the viability nor the ability of the cells to produce acid from glucose was influenced. Not a change was observed in the staining intensity of the cells after treatment with HCl, pronase, trypsin, and 5% trichloroacetic acid. It was suggested that the mucopeptide fraction of the cells might have been labeled.
FITC-labeled cells were injected into mice intravascularly or intraperitoneally. It was observed that these cells or their fragments were persistent in the reticuloendothelial system or kidney and heart of the mice for 45 days. No pathological changes, however, were found in the kidney or heart tissue.
