Some biological properties of outer membrane proteins of Shigella.

Outer membrane proteins (OMP) derived from two antigenically different representatives of Shigella (Sh. flexneri 3a and Sh. sonnei phase I) were tested for the toxicity, pyrogenicity, ability to induce Shwartzman reaction as well as for their influence on the leukocyte system. LD50 dose determined on mice was 28 mg/kg for OMP of Sh. flexneri and 23 mg/kg for OMP of Sh. sonnei. Both preparations injected intravenously to rabbits caused moderate increase of body temperature, expressed by the value 1.8 degrees C. Intravenous administration of protein preparations to rabbits, induced at first leukopenia and then transient leukocytosis. When injected subcutaneously in the dose of 500 micrograms and after 24 h intravenously in the dose 100 micrograms, they produced slight hemorrhagic changes at the site of administration.