ROLE OF TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA IN THE HOST RESPONSE OF MICE TO BACTEREMIA CAUSED BY PNEUMOLYSIN-DEFICIENT STREPTOCOCCUS-PNEUMONIAE

Pneumolysin-deficient mutant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae are k nown to cause less-severe sepsis than wild-type pneumococcal strains t hat produce pneumolysin. This difference is associated with greater ho st resistance in mice infected with the pneumolysin-deficient strains. These studies show that the host resistance developed during the firs t 1 to 2 days after infection,vith a pneumolysin deficient mutant stra in is dependent on tumor necrosis factor alpha but is apparently indep endent of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) or IL-6. Survival beyond 5 da ys appeared to depend on the ability of the mice to produce IL-1 beta.