Inhibition of the Shwartzman Phenomenon by Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) from the Adenohypophysis

Abstract

The Shwartzman phenomenon, severe hemorrhagic necrosis at site of a previous intradermal (preparatory) injn. of a bacterial filtrate when an intravenous (provocative) injn. of the same or another potent bacterial filtrate is given, was elicited with meningococcus 44B "agar washings"; readings were made 4 and 24 hrs. after the intravenous injn. Admn. of 12.5 mg. of ACTH preceding the preparatory injn. had no effect on the phenomenon; however, injection of the same amt. before the provocative injn. completely supressed the phenomenon in 8 out of the 10 animals tested. Injn. of surgical pituitrin had no effect, indicating that the action of ACTH was not due to oxytocic or pressor contaminants.