Intravital Microscopy and Histology of the Generalized Shwartzman Reaction in Rabbits Passively Tolerant to Endotoxin

Abstract

Summary The generalized Shwartzman reaction was significantly inhibited in rabbits pretreated with serum of endotoxin tolerant rabbits. Whereas coagulation studies revealed only moderate decrease of platelets, intravital microscopical and histological examinations showed even in tolerant animals a diffuse vascular lesion, but no fibrin thrombi and no parenchymal necrosis. It was concluded that endotoxin is directly toxic to vascular endothelium and that the vascular lesion in the generalized Shwartzman reaction is not mediated primarily by disseminated intravascular coagulation.