Effect of zymosan on dogs subjected to hemorrhagic hypotension

Abstract

Injection of zymosan intravenously, or subcutaneously in combination with adjuvants, increased the survival rate of dogs subjected to hemorrhagic hypotension (P = <0.04). As a result of the zymosan injections, properdin titers were increased by more than 25% in 14 of 24 dogs. Of the animals with significantly increased properdin levels, 71% survived. Only 30% of dogs survived in a group in which the properdin titer did not rise. This mortality rate is virtually identical with a control series of animals which were similarly treated, but which did not receive zymosan.