Abstract
Wasting disease was produced in neonatal Balb/c mice with purified Salmonella enteritidis endotoxins. The endotoxins were chemically characterized to provide the study with a potent endotoxin with constant biological activity. Neonatal mice received an initial injection of 35 μg/g body weight of endotoxin and a dose of 75 μg every third day until day 18. The degree of wasting was estimated by the runting (weight loss) index. Mortality was calculated to be 46%, with a mean survival time of approximately 15 days. The hematologic studies conducted at days 10, 20, and 30 showed an absolute neutrophilia and leukocytosis by day 10 which persisted to day 30. Immunologic data indicated that the responsiveness to sheep erythrocytes was depressed to day 20 and continued to persist at day 30. It was postulated that endotoxin either directly or indirectly affects the immune apparatus which allows the normal flora of the animal to establish an infection leading to wasting and death.
Recommended Citation
Barnett, John B. and Jutila, John W.
(1981)
"Effects of Purified Salmonella enteritidis Endotoxin on the Immune Response of Balb/c Mice,"
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 35, Article 6.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol35/iss1/6
