[Toxic and hemolytic properties of serum in the massive transfusion syndrome]

Toxic and hemolytic properties of the sera of dogs which received massive homologus blood transfusions were studied in experiments on 20 dogs and 432 mice. The toxicity of the recipient's sera was evaluated in vivo on mice with blocked reticulo-endothelial system and by the method of hemocultures. Red cells labeled with radioactive chromium were used to study the hemolytic activity. Investigations carried out demonstrated the acute blood loss wilth the subsequent massive transfusion of the homologous blood to result in the production in the recipient's serum of toxigenic products. These toxigenic properties were determined by two biotesting methods. The maximal toxigenic action was noted in 2 hours and in the course of the 1st day after the substitution. No toxic effect of the sera was found on the 17th day. A parallel study of hemolytic properties of the sera revealed a marked increase of its activity; it was the greatest during the first 24 hours. In three days the hemolytic properties of the serum were no different from the initial one.