276 



-19 5 2- 



758. ZAHL, p. A., and HUTNER, So Ho 



Biology of pyrogens Symposium on bacterial pyrogens 



Tr. New York Acad. SCo I^:l6l-l63, 1952 



The most frequently found and most potent pyrogens appear to 

 be those associated with the somatic antigens of gram-negative 

 organisms. Certain toxic effects appear after Intravenous 

 administration of these substances: hemorrhage Induction in 

 transplanted sarcoma; interference with the horaoiothermic sys- 

 tem; vascular damage in declduo-placental tissues; induction of 

 leukopenia, hyperglycemia and adrenal cortex damage. Immune 

 bodies may be produced o "All immunochemical work to date indi- 

 cates that pyrogffaioilfeye at least as associated with the gram- 

 negative bacteria, represents but one aspect of poisoning by 

 endotoxins." "Immunologic aspects have been ignored by some 

 workers while others have neglected the purely pyrcgenic. . ." 

 The relationships of pyrogens to shock and stress have not been 

 fully studied. 



The sources of gram-negative bacteria which produce pyrogens 

 are multiple. The Fseudomonas ^ for example, thrive in moist 

 locations, as do most hydrogen bacteria. Pyrogenlc contaminants 

 may be reduced in number by preventive measures or by the use 

 of chemicals (chlorobenzene, dichloro -preparations or ethylene 

 oxide) viiere heat may be damaging. In apparatus and in packaging* 

 polyethyleioe of f ers advantages over glass, since it is an inert 

 material without nutrient salts in its composition. 



Pyrogenlc endotoxin may be dependent on the presence of phosphate 

 groups attached to the polysaccharide or to a protein component. 

 It may be an antimetabolite. In the organism, pyrogenlc endo- 

 toxin does not injure isolated cells, but appears to attach most 

 strongly the epithelial cells of newly proliferated capillaries. 

 Another interesting line of study would lead the worker to con- 

 sider the possibility of antagonism between pyrogenlc endotoxin 

 and anti -thyroid substances. 



