Beneficial Effects of Cortisone on Survival of Rats Infected with D. pneumoniae.

Abstract

The data demonstrate that cortisone in the dosage range of 2.5-5.0 mg./day can enhance the survival of intact and adrenalectomized rats subjected to the stress of exptl. pneumococcal infection. The results of bacteremia studies suggest that optimal doses of cortisone operate by enhancing host resistance to the infectious agent. On the other hand, doses larger than 5 mg./rat/day lower the resistance of rats to this infection. Hence, in cortisone therapy, as in the case with certain other hormones. opt. dosage is important and this may vary with different conditions.