Comparison of Septic Shock Due to Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Organisms 1

Summary

Cardiorespiratory effects of gram-negative and gram-positive septicemia were compared in the lightly anesthetized rhesus monkey. Thirty to 60 min after the onset of infusion of organisms, the cardiac output was higher and the peripheral resistance was lower in the group that received staphylococci, as compared to the group that received E. coli. Subsequently, the cardiac output decreased, systemic pressure decreased, minute ventilation increased, alveolo-arterial oxygen tension gradients increased and arterial PCo₂ and bicarbonate decreased as previously described in septic shock and to a comparable degree in both groups. These findings suggest a common host response to gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.