RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ESCHERICHIA-COLI ENDOTOXIN TOXICITY AND IMMUNIZATION STATUS OF NORMAL ADULT GUINEA-PIGS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 58  (3) , 255-259
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide extracts of E. coli (endotoxins) were toxic to normal adult guinea-pigs, yet no evidence was found of serological reactivity to endotoxins or of immediate dermal reactivity in vivo. Testing of the serum of experimentally immunized animals provided evidence of precipitins, agglutinins and hemolysins. Endotoxin may exert toxic effects in the absence of significant antibody production. Endotoxin toxicity may be independent of immune processes not involving cell-mediated responses.