ENDOTOXIN FEVER IN GRANULOCYTOPENIC ANIMALS

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Abstract
The febrile response to endotoxin was measured in rabbits made leukopenic with nitrogen mustard. Severe leukopenia markedly enhanced the lethal effect of endotoxin. Animals with no detectable circulating granulocytes other than basophils had no significant febrile response. Markedly granulocytopenic animals had a, typical biphasic fever of significantly less magnitude than controls. Control, granulocytopenic and agranulocytic animals showed comparable fever responses to-serum endogenous pyrogen. These findings support the hypothesis that granulocytes are a necessary intermediate in endotoxin fever.