@article{mbs:/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/00222615-15-1-23, author = "Linggood, Margaret A. and Ingram, P. L.", title = "The Role of Alpha Haemolysin in the Virulence of Escherichia Coli for Mice", journal= "Journal of Medical Microbiology", year = "1982", volume = "15", number = "1", pages = "23-30", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/00222615-15-1-23", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/00222615-15-1-23", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1473-5644", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "SUMMARY Transfer of an Hly plasmid determining production of α haemolysin to a non-haemolytic strain of Escherichia coli increased the virulence of the strain for mice. Injections of non-toxic amounts of α haemolysin, phenylhydrazine, haemoglobin, iron or manganese salts simulated the effect of the Hly plasmid by stimulating bacterial growth. Active or passive immunisation against α haemolysin protected mice on challenge with haemolytic E. coli by inhibiting in-vivo proliferation of the strain. Protection was eliminated by administration of iron salts at the time of challenge. The Hly plasmid probably acts as a virulence factor by enabling haemolytic strains of E. coli to obtain iron for growth from the lysed erythrocytes of infected animals.", }