Abstract
In a previous preliminary report 1 on a specific pneumococcus toxin and corresponding antitoxin, the cutaneous reactions incited by the intracutaneous injection of such toxin, and the lung pathology produced by its intraperitoneal or intravenous injection, have been pointed out. Larson 2 has also reported his results in applying intracutaneous tests to a small series of human beings and has confirmed our observations on the effect of pneumococcus toxin on mice. This paper will report further preliminary observations we have made.
Dr. E. Vernon Hahn is collaborating with us in a study of the pathology produced in animals by pneumococcus toxin. Detailed reports of histologic studies of its effects upon various organs, particularly lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen, will be made later.
Since it has been found possible to estimate the strength of various lots of both toxin and antitoxin on the basis of the ability of the toxin to produce lung pathology, and of the antitoxin to prevent it, when the two are injected together, a few brief descriptions will be given:
Pneurnococcus toxin given to mice in lethal or slightly sublethal doses, has been found to produce a more or less characteristic gross and histologic picture. Grossly the lungs show edema, engorgement, and frequently apparent massive consolidation, with hemorrhage.
On section intense congestion and interstitial hemorrhage with decreased air content of the alveoli have been noted. There is inter-alveolar extravasation but no extensive filling up of alveoli with exudate or blood, that is, the processes are patchy. An inflammatory or fibrinous exudate may be found in the bronchioles, with or without marked degeneration and vacuolization of the bronchiolar epithelium. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes may be found grouped within and often adherent to the endothelium of th blood vessels.
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