Hemorrhagic and Necrotic Reactions in Guinea Pigs During Protracted Anaphylactic Shock

Abstract

A massive hemorrhagic reaction was observed at the site of subcutaneous injection of large amounts of egg albumin in guinea pigs sensitized with egg albumin incorporated in water-in-oil emulsions containing killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis or killed M. butyricum. No hemorrhages were seen in guinea pigs sensitized with paraffin oil adjuvants without mycobacteria, although these animals had circulating antibodies in amounts comparable to those sensitized with mycobacteria. Guinea pigs sensitized by intracutaneous injection of egg albumin in paraffin oil adjuvants with or without mycobacteria underwent a protracted but usually non-lethal anaphylactic shock after a subcutaneous eliciting injection of egg albumin. Guinea pigs sensitized by intracutaneous injection of egg albumin in saline alone, died in 39 to 66 minutes and at necropsy there were manifestations of a combination of symptoms of acute (pulmonary emphysema) and protracted shock. In accordance with previous work, prolongation of the anaphylactic syndrome was associated with the presence of antibody in the circulation. Protracted anaphylaxis did not cause grossly apparent hemorrhages at sites of tuberculin reactions to PPD (purified protein derivative). Intravenous injection of Salmonella typhosa or Escherichia coli endotoxin 24 or 48 hours after the intracutaneous injection of PPD caused hemorrhages at the sites of tuberculin reactions.