A Comparison of Experimental Anaphylactic Shock in Guinea-pigs with Naturally-occurring Oedema Disease and Haemorrhagic Gastro-enteritis in Pigs

Abstract

SUMMARY By subjecting guinea-pigs to protracted anaphylactic shock using egg albumen and E.coli (0138 and 0139) extracts, symptoms and lesions were produced which resembled those of oedema disease and haemorrhagic gastro-enteritis in pigs. E. coli polysaccharide introduced into the stomach was absorbed rapidly and caused anaphylactic shock in sensitized animals. Healthy guinea-pigs were to some extent hypersensitive to E. coli extracts. Mepyramine maleate prevented death from acute anaphylactic shock, but was not effective against protracted anaphylaxis. These results are discussed in relation to the hypersensitiveness of pigs to E. coli. It is postulated that the symptoms and lesions of oedema disease and haemorrhagic gastroenteritis are the result of an anaphylactic reaction rather than a direct toxic effect following the absorption of E. coli polysaccharide.