Biography
José M. da Costa Cruz, Brazilian microbiologist and immunologist (Belém 24 February 1894 – Rio de Janeiro 29 October 1940)
Showed the toxigenic capacity of diphtheria bacillus depended on culture medium (not published)
Modified Ramon culture medium for production of diphtheric toxin
Demonstrated the phage sensitivity to oligodynamic action
Performed important researches about phages that were cited in classical works of D’ Herelle
Prepared Bacteriophagina, an anti-dysenteric product (1920s)
Established an agglutination optimum
Étude de l’optimum d’agglutination. C.R. Soc. Biol. 100(11):1932, 1929
Proved the relationship between bacterial multiplication and phage power
Influence de la concentration des bacteries sur la production du bacteriophage. C.R. Soc. Biol. 92:310-1, 1925
First to study the immune interference in bacterial lysis by phage (before Hauduroy)
Action anti-lityque des sérums anti-bacterien dans la lyse par le bacteriophage. C.R. Soc. Biol. 93(28):875, 1925 & 95(29):1006, 1926
Action du sérum anti-bactérien dans la lyse par bacteriophage. C.R. Soc. Biol. 95(36):1457, 1926
Observed the destructive action of yellow fever virus on complement system and developed a complement-fixation reaction for diagnosing it (Costa Cruz reaction)
Teneur du sérum em alexine dans la fievre jaune. C.R. Soc. Biol. 101:948, 1929
Diagnostic de la fievre jaune par le dosage de l’alexine. C.R. Soc. Biol. 104(21):668, 1929
Established the role of administration of active phages by via oral into evolution of bacillary dysentery (1924)
Le traitement des dysentéries bacillaires par le bacteriophage. C.R. Soc. Biol. 92:845-6, 1925
Showed the solubility of bacteriophages in the presence of electrolytes
Sur la nature du bacteriophage. Influence des electrolytes. C.R. Soc. Biol. 89:759-62, 1923
Sur l’influence des electrolytes dans la lyse par le bacterióphage. C.R. Soc. Biol. 91:236, 1924
With H.A. Penna. Sur um nouveau constituant de l’alexine. C.R. Soc. Biol. 104(21):668, 1939
Described species Mycobacterium fortuitum
Mycobacterium fortuitum: a new acid-fast bacillus pathogenic for man. Acta Med. Rio de Janeiro 1:297-301, 1938
Costa-Cruz phenomenon
Sur le mécanisme de l’action anti-lityque du sérum anti-bacterien dans la lyse par le bacteriophage. C.R. Soc. Biol. 91:840-2, 1924
His studies about phages are condensed in a paper
O bacteriófago, suas propriedades, sua natureza e sua ação terapêutica. O Hospital 18(2):171, 1940
LINKS
http://aparaciencias.org/vol-2.1/07_Jose_da_Costa_CruzAA.pdf

