Cytotoxicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Peritoneal Phagocytes of Guinea Pigs

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa was examined for in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity to peritoneal phagocytes of guinea pigs. The following results were obtained.
1. The in vitro experiment revealed that P. aeruginosa was hardly phagocytized by phagocytes, as compared with Escherichia coil, and showed high cytotoxicity.
2. The in vivo experiment also revealed that P. aeruginosa was more resistant to phagocytosis than E. coli and showed high cytotoxicity.
3. Examination of the toxic substances of P. aeruginosa showed that endotoxin, slime, elastase, and protease were highly cytotoxic to phagocytes, but that pyocyanin and OEP were little cytotoxic.
In conclusion, P. aeruginosa was more resistant to phagocytosis by peritoneal phagocytes of guinea pigs than E. coli and had cytotoxicity to these phagocytes.