Influence of Nitrogen Mustard upon Reactions to Bacterial Endotoxins

Abstract

Discussion and Summary

The finding of Stetson and Good that the period of inhibition of the Shwartzman phenomenon which follows injection of HN₂ in the rabbit coincides with the time of maximum depression of circulating leukocytes was confirmed. In addition, the prevention of severe leukopenia by cysteine resulted in retention of Shwartzman activity, further evidence for the role of the leukocyte in the Shwartzman reaction. Although injection of colloidal materials abolishes natural or acquired resistance to the Shwartzman phenomenon, thorotrast did not influence the Shwartzman non-reactivity produced by HN₂. The failure of HN₂-induced leukopenia to influence the febrile response of rabbits to pyrogenic bacterial materials indicates that pyrogen fever is not dependent upon the presence of normal numbers of circulating leukocytes.