Effect of Bacterial Endotoxin on Leucocytes of Tuberculin Sensitive Hosts

Abstract

Guinea pigs and rabbits were sensitized by intramuscular injection of killed human tubercle bacilli in paraffin oil. The reaction of the leucocytes obtained from sensitized and normal animals were measured by changes in cell count (in a Coulter Automatic Cell Counter) or of titer of lysozyme-like enzyme. Cytolysis was increased after contact with tuberculin (PPD) or endotoxin (from Escherichia coli) of guinea pig and, to a much lesser degree, of rabbit leucocytes. Triton WR-1339 blocks this effect.