Production of the Shwartzman reaction with microbial L forms.

Abstract

Study of potential pathogenicity of microbial L forms was done by the localized Shwartzman reaction. Stable L forms of Proteus mirabilis served as skin preparation in rabbits for induction of Shwartzman reaction by subsequent intravenous injection of either P. mirabilis L forms or Escherichia coli endotoxin. The intensity of the reaction was positively correlated to numbers of L forms in the skin. L forms also served as the intravenous challenge. In vivo multiplication of L forms was not a prerequisite for the reaction, as it could be produced with nonviable, osmotically lysed L forms. The reaction produced with L forms in the skin was more intense than that produced with the parent bacterial form. These latter observations, coupled with the demonstration that L forms disappeared from the skin (lysed?) after 4 hr, in contrast to bacteria which were recoverable for 72 hr (duration of study), suggest release of endotoxin by L forms as a pathogenic mechanism.

• Authors: G M Kalmanson, M Y Kubota, L B Guze
• Journal: Journal of bacteriology (J Bacteriol) Vol. 96 Issue 3 Pg. 646-51 (Sep 1968) ISSN: 0021-9193 [Print] United States
• PMID: 4895048 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Endotoxins

Topics

• Animals
• Endotoxins
• Escherichia coli
• Injections, Intravenous
• L Forms (growth & development, pathogenicity)
• Male
• Proteus (growth & development, pathogenicity)
• Rabbits
• Shwartzman Phenomenon (etiology, microbiology)