PHYSIOLOGIC ACTION OF CLOSTRIDIUM WELCHII (TYPE A) TOXINS IN DOGS 123

Abstract

A number of characteristics of the syndrome of traumatic shock may be produced by C. welchii (Type A) toxic filtrate given either intramusc. or intraven. Intraven. injn. results in intravascular hemoly-sis, decline in cardiac output and blood pressure, increase in prothrombin time, edema and hemorrhage into the lungs and small intestine, and congestion of the liver, spleen and kidneys . Intramusc. or sucut. injn. is followed by massive edema spreading from the injection site and by severe hemoconc. The effects of the toxic filtrate given by this route are chiefly local, and the lack of hemolysis is evidence of the inability of the alpha toxin to reach the general circulation in appreciable conc. Purified C. welchii alpha toxin injected intramusc. produced liitle edema. Purified C. welchii hyaluronidase similarly had little effect on intramusc. injn. The edema-forming property of the unpurified C. welchii toxic filtrate thus appears to be due to the presence of other toxins or to a synergistic effect of a combination of toxins.