THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ENDOTOXIN
Abstract
A new experimental model was developed for studying endogenous bacteremic shock due to E. coli in rabbits. Two steps are involved: (1) intravenous injection of 1.0 - 3.0 mg/kg nitrogen mustard and (2) rectal temperatures with thermistor probes. At 90-100 hours after injection, when granulocytopenia is most severe, all rabbits develop high fever, overwhelming E. coli bacteremia, and fatal shock. The origin of the bacteremia is traced to invasion of rectal mucosa by fecal organisms. The bacteriaspread to the pelvic veins and induce septic pelvic thrombophlebitis. In animals with normal granulocyte counts, rectal temperatures produce an intense granulocytic inflammatory reaction in the rectum, marked congestion of pelvic veins, but no bacterial invasion of the rectum, and neither fever nor bacteremia. When granulocytopenia is minimized by protecting the femoral marrow from nitrogen mustard, bacteremic shock fails to develop from rectal temperature probing. Protection against bacteremia and shock is also provided by a combination of streptomycin-tetracycline, but fever still develops. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 31, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0266622
Entities
People
- Abraham I. Braude
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh