Production of Peptone Shock in Mice Following Administration of H. pertussis Vaccine

Summary

Populations of ABC and Swiss-Webster male and female mice were found to be resistant to peptone, but an increased susceptibility to peptone with a lethal outcome could be produced by prior treatment with pertussis vaccine. Mice rendered susceptible to peptone with pertussis vaccine could be protected with the antihistaminic agent, Benadryl, with chlorpromazine and with cortisone. The possible role of histamine in the increased susceptibility of mice to peptone, produced by pertussis vaccine, has been discussed.