Effect of Ghlorpromazine and Dibenzyline on Bacterial Toxins

Summary and conclusions

1. Chlorpro-mazine and dibenzyline were tested in mice for their ability to afford protection against a variety of bacterial toxins. 2. Premedication and treatment with chlorpromazine significantly decreased the mortality from endotox-ins derived from Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhosa. Similar treatment with dibenzyline decreased the mortality from toxins derived from Shigella dysenteriae, Aerobacter aerogenes, Pasteurella pestis and Clostridium tetani. 3. Chlorpromazine afforded significant protection when administered 2 hours following the injection of endotoxin derived from Escherichia coli. Premedication was not necessary. 4. Premedication with chlorpromazine increased the mortality from the toxin of Clostridium perjringens, likewise premedication with dibenzyline increased the mortality from the endotoxin derived from Sal-monella typhosa.

The authors wish to express their appreciation to the workers who so kindly made available the various toxins used in this study.