ATTEMPTS AT ANALYSIS OF TOXICITY OF PERTUSSIS VACCINE III. EFFECTS OF ENDOTOXIN ON LEUKOCYTOSIS IN MICE DUE TO LYMPHOCYTOSIS-PROMOTING FACTOR AND REFERENCE PREPARATIONS FOR DETERMINATION OF LYMPHOCYTOSIS-PROMOTING FACTOR

Abstract

The effect of bacterial endotoxin on the change in peripheral leukocyte population in mice due to the lymphocytosis-promoting factor (LPF) was investigated. Endotoxin affected not only the total leukocyte count but also the leukocyte proportions at any observation time. Both the coefficient and the intercept of regression of the leukocytic response on dose of LPF were modified by endotoxin. Therefore, in a valid biological assay for LPF using the peripheral leukocyte count as a response, a common reference preparation available for any test materials, irrespective of presence or absence of endotoxin, will be impracticable. Two reference preparations were tentatively established, one being a vaccine and the other an LPF preparation containing little endotoxin. A unitage of LP activity was assigned to each reference preparation. The results also showed that an LPF material to be tested for its possible effects on the lymphatic tissues or the reticuloendothelial system should be free from endotoxin.