PRELIMINARY EVIDENCE OF ENDOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF BILOPHILA-WADSWORTHIA

In this study we describe two properties of the Gram-negative bacteriu m Bilophila wadsworthia, namely the ability to clot Limulus lysate and the capacity to induce the production of tissue factor-like procoagul ant activity by human mononuclear cells in vitro. Although exhibited a t a lower degree when compared with those of typical Cram-negative bac teria or Gram-negative endotoxin those activities may account in part for Bilophila's pathogenicity. The capacity indeed to induce fibrin fo rmation through the interaction with mononuclear cells suggests one me chanism by which the microorganism might cause abscess formation in th e host. Moreover, since this activity is dependent on the number of Bi lophila interacting with mononuclear cells, we hypothesize that this b iological activity is closely influenced by growth environment.