Studies on the effect of triton (WR-1339) on guinea pig tissues. II. Fragility of blood cells.

Guinea pig red cells exposed to triton WR-1339 either in vitro or in vivo demonstrate an increased sensitivity to hemolysis by thermal shock. Although the sensitivity of guinea pig leucocytes to thermal shock remains unchanged after a single injection of triton, their resistance to disruption by acetone and by sonic vibration is increased significantly. Resistance to sonic vibration appears to be maximum within a few hours after injection and then it gradually wanes. Paraffin oil-induced peritoneal exudate cells (monocytes) and leucocytes from whole blood are rendered more resistant to disruption by sonic vibration when exposed to triton in vitro. These findings are discussed briefly in relation to the therapeutic effect of triton in experimental tuberculosis.