Localization of neurotoxic activity of staphylococcal α-hemolysin in the thalamus

Abstract Staphylococcal α-hemolysin injected iv into rabbits causes disappearance of brain bioelectric activity. The investigation performed with deep electrodes implanted into thalamic reticular system and motor, somatosensory, and visual regions of the cerebral cortex showed that the most significant disturbances occurred in the thalamic reticular system and somatosensory-visual region of the cerebral cortex. Staphylococcal α-hemolysin evokes an augmentation response as indicated by the EEG tracings. It is postulated that the lethal action of this toxin involves specific structures in the thalamus.