Cardiovascular reactions induced by leucocidin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Leucocidin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes cardiovascular failure in rats and mice. The time between i.v. injection and death depends on the dose. After injection of high doses (500 mug/kg) the arterial blood pressure decreases rapidly and cardiac irregularities and AV block occur within about 5 min. In contrast to endotoxin shock no pulmonary hypertension was observed, whereas portal hypertension was seen in our experiments. Injection of lower doses (less than 200 mug/kg) caused peripheral vascular damage with lung oedema, vascular disturbances in various tissues, exudation and bleeding. Finally cardiac insufficiency predominated. Dexamethasone delayed the symptoms but did not prevent death in either rats or mice. Heparin was ineffective in this type of shock.