Escherichia coli sepsis and endotoxemia in conscious young pigs

In conscious pigs the influence of intravenous infusion of live E. coli (7 x 10(8)/kg), of the equivalent amount of endotoxin (20 micrograms/kg) or of a high dose of endotoxin (2.5 mg/kg) on the hemodynamic, clinical and pathological parameters and on survival rate was studied. E. coli and endotoxin infusion resulted in pulmonary hypertension, systemic arterial hypotension, a decrease in cardiac output and an increase in heart rate. Clinical signs were characterized by respiratory and nervous disturbances, whereas necropsy revealed hemorrhages and edema in several organs. Although these findings were similar in the three groups, a marked difference in lethality was observed. Infusion of E. coli or of the high dose of endotoxin resulted in a significant mortality, whereas all pigs survived the infusion of the low dose of endotoxin. This suggests that the lethal pathophysiological mechanisms may only become activated when a sufficient amount of endotoxin is released into the circulation.