Abstract
Summary
The possibility that endotoxin or an endotoxin-like substance plays a role in malaria has been suggested by the clinical similarity between human malaria and the febrile reaction to endotoxins, as well as the occurrence of endotoxin tolerance in humans infected with malaria. However, endotoxin or endotoxin-like activity was not demonstrable, using the Limulus test, in the plasma of humans or monkeys infected with plasmodia. The data indicate that the febrile paroxysm of malarial infection is not associated with detectable levels of endotoxin in the blood.
This investigation could not have been possible without the cooperation of the inmate volunteers who willingly underwent experimental malarial infections. Madame Francine Corthesy provided excellent technical assistance. We are also grateful to Dr. W. E. Collins for his expert advice and assistance with the infections in monkeys.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.