The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 10, Issue 1 37-42, Copyright © 1977 by Society for General Microbiology
The survival of gonococci and meningococci in subcutaneous diffusion chambers in mice
S. Hafiz and M. G. McEntegart
Studies are reported on the survival of gonococci and meningococci in
Millipore diffusion chambers implanted subcutaneously in normal mice and in
pre-immunised mice. The chambers allowed the passage of nutrients and
humoral factors but excluded host cells. After an initial fall in the
viable count--attributed to lysis by non-specific serum factors--there was
evidence of multiplication of Neisseria gonorrhoeae; the subsequent
development of specific antibody led to the disappearance of gonococci 16
days after the chambers were implanted. N. meningitidis behaved differently
in the implanted chambers. Meningococci did not appear to be lysed by
non-specific humoral factors and so the viable count showed no initial
fall. The meningococci survived for 49 days, at which time the entire
chamber was rejected.
