INTERSTITIAL PULMONARY EDEMA: AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE PATHOLOGY OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL ENTEROTOXEMIA IN RHESUS MONKEYS

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Abstract
Interstitial pulmonary edema was produced in rhesus monkeys by means of intravenous injections of staphylococcal enterotoxin B, a purified protein toxin. A dose of 20 ug per kg body weigh was most effective in inducing edema, which developed approximately 48 hr. following injection. The primary pathologic change, as determined by electron microscopy, was capillary endothelial cell degeneration and necrosis, with less frequent damage to the endothelium of venules. Secondary phenomena were interstitial edema, hemorrhage, and a histiocytic infiltrate. Focal herniation of intact capillary endothelial cells into the vascular lumen was produced by the accumulation of extracellular fluid between the plasma and basement membranes. Similar protrusions of type I epithelial cells into the alveolar space were less commonly seen.