Impaired Endotoxin Detoxification as a Factor in Enhanced Endotoxin Sensitivity of Malaria Infected Mice

Abstract

The influence of P. berghei infection on endotoxin susceptibility and detoxification in white mice was studied. Malaria-infected mice showed a 41-fold increase in endotoxin susceptibility. Liver and spleen homogenates from normal control animals possessed a significant endotoxin detoxification ability. In contrast, liver homogenates prepared from malaria-infected mice possessed no significant endotoxin detoxifying ability. The endotoxin detoxifying ability of splenic homogenates prepared from malaria-infected donors was, however, normal.