Selective Inhibition of Macromolecular Synthesis in Pasteurella septica by Antiserum and its Reversal by Iron

EVIDENCE from work with both in vivo and in vitro systems suggests that the ability of an organism to acquire iron from serum transferrin may be an essential feature of pathogenicity^1–4. Conversely, the evidence suggests that the ability of the host to interfere with this reaction may constitute an important means of defence^{1, 2}. Specific antiserum and a heat labile factor in fresh serum, possibly complement, have been implicated in the bacteriostatic and bactericidal action of sera on Pasteurella septica¹. Both these effects can be abolished by saturating the serum transferrin with iron. A start has now been made in investigating the biochemistry of these processes.