THE EFFECT OF ENTEROTOXIN ON DERMAL REACTIVITY TO EPINEPHRINE

Abstract : INTRAVENOUS INJECTION OF SIX PREPARATIONS OF THE S-6 type of staphylococcal enterotoxin in rabbits resulted in the appearance of dermal lesions at the site of subsequent intradermal injections of epinephrine. Intradermal injection of staphylococcal enterotoxin followed by administration of epinephrine into the same sites also resulted in the appearance of dermal lesions in both rabbits and guinea pigs. Enterotoxin was effective in amounts as small as 0.0001 micrograms. The toxic factor was not destroyed by heating for 15 minutes at 60 or 100 C. Antiserum failed to neutralize the toxic effect.