TOXINS OF MORAXELLA-BOVIS - EFFECT ON SUBSTRATES AND CELLS

Whole cultures and filtrates of twelve strains of Moraxella bovis were tested for the presence of gelatinase, DNAse, lecithinase and dermone crotoxins and for their cytotoxic effect on five cell lines. Gelatinas e and DNAse were detected in whole cultures, while dermonecrotoxins an d cytotoxins for BHK 21 (Cl. 13) monolayers were demonstrated in the f iltrates. The activity of the toxins present in whole cultures and fil trates was lost after heating at 100 degrees C. The implications of th ese findings in the pathogenesis and immunological control of infectio us bovine keratoconjunctivitis are discussed.