[The potentiating action of Listeria monocytogenes in relation to endotoxic shock]

The infection of mice with Listeria cells 15 hours prior to the inoculation of endotoxin sharply increased its lethal action. Blood taken from the mice at the peak of the development of shock was toxic for adrenalectomized recipients. This potentiating effect was blocked by hydrocortisone. Carrageenan prolonged the survival time of such animals, but did not change the course of endotoxin shock, as well as toxicosis, caused by listerial aqueous extract in adrenalectomized mice. This potentiating phenomenon plays supposedly a certain role in the genesis of toxicosis in mixed infections (listeriosis in combination with other infections).