North Carolina State University investigated the immune response to the gram-negative bacteria Delftia spp., a water and soil species which has been identified in IV catheters. Delftia strain Cs1-4 and THP-1 cells (monocytes) were employed. Cellometer Auto T4 provided cell viability measurements with Trypan Blue to ensure a constant concentration of viable monocytes were present throughout experimentation. After Delftia stimulation of the monocytes, monocyte mortality rose, as did the production of TNF and pro-inflammatory proteins. This research confirms that Delftia does induce a pro-inflammatory reaction in monocytes and suggests that more research into the downstream effects of this bacteremia-associated strain is needed.

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