Summary
Ten beagle dogs were given highly purified staphylococcal enterotoxin B intravenously
and were observed and bled at intervals during a 55-day-period. Pre- and postchallenge
determinations of the whole blood clotting time, clot retraction, clot lysis, total
white and differential cell count, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time
were performed on each sample. An abnormality was indicated by each test at some point
during the testing period with the exception of clot lysis. The most frequent and
more severe abnormalities occurred within the first four days after challenge. The
results indicate that alterations of the clotting mechanism do occur after administration
of staphylococcal enterotoxin and suggests that the plasma factors are primarily involved.
Changes in the leukocytic response appear to be similar to those sometimes observed
in a severe bacterial infection.
