Abstract
In connection with a series of experiments whereby monkeys are injected intrasplenically with poliomyelitis virus and subsequently develop an appreciable immunity, my attention has been drawn to a phenomenon which may be evidence of an anaphylactic reaction.
Monkeys convalescent from an experimental infection and therefore immune, monkeys experimentally immunized, and a small group of monkeys proving naturally immune, if injected intrasplenically or intraperitoneally with virus will invariably die. Death may be either sudden while injection is still in progress or may follow the injection by some days when the intervening period is characterized by increasing weakness. Sudden death is usually seen when the virus is administered intrasplenically and the lingering one is typical of the intraperitoneal administration.
This reaction has only been observed after 47 days or more have elapsed since immunization was commenced or the abortive infection occurred. Immediate death has always taken place while the animal was under ether anesthesia. Respirations become rapid and shallow, soon inspiration becomes spasmodic and expiration passive and prolonged. The interval between inspiratory efforts increases, and finally efforts cease. Post mortem reveals that the lungs are collapsed and the heart is still beating. Microscopically in these cases one finds mucosal hemorrhages in the gut, a degree of central necrosis in the liver and hemorrhage into the medulla of the suprerenal. The spleen shows the same changes as do all monkeys which have received polio virus.
The first group consists of 3 monkeys. The first two had recovered from an infection with the well-known Flexner “mixed-virus”, receiving an intracerebral dose of 0.01 cc. and 0.3 cc. respectively of a Berkefeld'N'filtrate of a well-centrifuged 5% suspension. The third monkey had received 1 cc. of a 20% centrifuged suspension of cord material obtained from a human case.
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