Host Resistance in Hemorrhagic Shock. XIV. Induction of Shwartzman Reaction by Shock Plasma and Tissues.

Abstract

Whole plasma and saline or trichloroacetic acid extracts of liver, lung, or kidney of shocked animals induce the generalized Shwartzman reaction in endotoxin or Thorotrast (ThO2) prepared rabbits. Corresponding preparations from normal animals do not induce the reaction. The active material is shown to be similar to, or identical with, bacterial endotoxin. The absence of Shwartzman-inducing material in the plasma of animals in shock pretreated with non-absorbable antibiotics given orally is further support for the thesis that the circulating endotoxins are derived from intestinal bacteria.