Endotoxin Induced Resistance to Infections and Tolerance

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Abstract
Summary The ability of endotoxin to increase the resistance of animals to infection is maintained or increased after repeated administration of endotoxin. This finding contrasts with the development of tolerance to the other effects of endotoxin, such as the diminution or disappearance of the lethal and granulopenic effect of endotoxin on repeated administration. These results suggest that endotoxin may be a mixture of at least two substances, one responsible for the effects to which tolerance is produced and another responsible for the increase in resistance to infections. It is also possible that these divergent effects may be mediated through two different mechanisms. The consequences following from these conclusions are briefly discussed.