Influence of cortisone and cyclophosphamide on xanthine oxidase bacterial activation.

The xanthine oxidase increase in mice liver as response to infection was studied as a possible parameter useful for a better understanding of theimmunosuppression due to cyclophosphamide and cortisone. An impact of cortisone but not of cyclophosphamide on this mechanism was found; this may be useful in order to discriminate between the two different types of immunosuppressive drugs.

Clinical experience in detecting endotoxemia with the limulus test in typhoid fever and other Salmonella infections.

Semiquantitative estimates of circulating endotoxin were performed by the limulus test in patients suffering from typhoid fever and other salmonelloses. The test was positive in a large number of cases. However, no clearcut correlation was found between existence of endotoxemia, as such, and pyrexia. A correlation with recent bacteremia was found for highest levels of endotoxin activity. In minor salmonelloses a striking prevalence of positive cases was observed in the age group under one year. These findings were discussed in relation to the diagnostic and pathogenetic facets of the problem.