The procoagulant activity of leukocytes pretreated with radiodetoxified endotoxin

Rabbits were treated with Escherichia coli 089 endotoxin detoxified by ionizing irradiation (60 Co-gamma). The leukocytes (PMNs in 90%) obtained from rabbits that had been treated with the mother endotoxin elicited a well defined, those obtained from rabbits pretreated with detoxified endotoxin elicited a less pronounced, procoagulant activity. It is suggested that the procoagulant effect may play a part in the mechanism of the local Shwartzman phenomenon.