Pathophysiologic alterations in endotoxemia. Similarities to an animal model

The validity of animal models of human sepsis has been questioned. We describe a patient who experienced a short episode of endotoxemia (? bacteremia) with resultant pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary edema from increased alveolar capillary membrane permeability, hypoxemia, hypotension, and relative leukopenia, which mimics the pathophysiologic changes noted following infusion of Pseudomonas bacteria into awake sheep. The similarity of abnormalities and their resolution suggests that Pseudomonas infusion in sheep is a valid experimental model of human septic shock.