Shwartzman Phenomenon in the Rabbit Stomach

Abstract

The Arthus phenomenon was first observed as a skin reaction and subsequently shown to occur in various internal situations with interesting and valuable results. 1 The Shwartzman phenomenon has been studied as a skin reaction in great detail, 2 but little attention has been given to the finer features of the lesion produced or to its manifestations in internal viscera. The observation of Frisch 3 that the reacting factor may be given intraperitoneal gives no information as to the occurrence of the phenomenon in internal viscera.

The stomach was selected as the organ first to be studied, because of its accessibility, the fact that control areas can readily be obtained and thin sections easily prepared for detailed microscopic study. Barium sulphate starch mixture was applied as a depilatory 24 hours before operation, which was performed aseptically under ether anesthesia, and the stomach exposed by high left rectus incision. The concentrated toxic filtrate of B. coli was prepared according to the method of Ecker and Rimington 4 and was shown to be sterile before use. The injection into the stomach wall of 0.2 cc. concentrated filtrate was into the submucosa, except in 1 instance where it was into the muscularis. Intracutaneous injection of 0.2 cc. concentrated filtrate was given in the lower abdominal region. Of 16 rabbits so treated, 12 were given 2.5 cc. concentrated filtrate intravenously 24 hours after the local injection. The animals were killed by fracture of the neck at periods of 3 1/2, 5(2), 12, 24, 25(2), 72(2) hours, and 7 days (2) after intravenous injection. The 4 control animals, with local but no intravenous injections were killed at 7 and 24 hours and 7 days (2) after the local injection. After careful gross examination of stomach and skin, blocks were fixed in Zenker's fluid, embedded in paraffin and sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin.