Pathogenetic mechanisms of the pyrexial reaction to streptococcal antigens

Summary

Cortisone given to rabbits in a dose of 25 mg depressed the development of pyrexial reactions caused by the intravenous inject on of warmed streptococcus vaccine. However, when these experiments were repeated a few months later it appeared that cortisone did not produce its usual antipyrogenic effect on fever induced by the vaccine prepared from the same streptococcus strain. This was connected with the changes in biological properties of the streptococcus culture. To confirm this statement the author prepared a vaccine from a new streptococcus strain (SF₂₂t₂), formerly stored in the form of lyophilized culture. Cortisone inhibited the development of fever, provoked by this vaccine. To change the biological properties of this strain, streptococcus culture was subjected to daily transfers from broth to medium (scarlet fever) for one month. After such treatment the vaccine was prepared again and the antipyrogenic action of cortisone was tested once more. In all the cases cortisone had no depressive effect on fever. which by its intensity even exceeded that in control animals.