Cardiotoxic and Lethal Effects of Listeria monocytogenes Hemolysin.

Cardiotoxic and lethal effects of Listeria monocytogenes hemolysin were studied in CD-1 mice injected with varying doses of hemolysin. Intravenous injection of 100 complete hemolytic units (CHU) caused 100% lethality within 4 to 5 min. Doses ranging from 40 to 50 CHU caused death of approximately 50% of the animals. Adrenergic blocking agents and antihistamine failed to protect mice against lethality and thereby suggested that death was not due to release of vasoactive agents by hemolysin. Plasma levels of creatine phosphokinase increased after intravenous administration of hemolysin and suggested myopathy, possibly of the myocardium. Electrocardiograms from hemolysin-treated mice indicated serious alterations in heart rate and rhythm, suggesting damage to contractile and pacemaker cardiac tissue. In addition, there were indications of increased potassium levels influencing the heart. Presumably, death was due to functional damage to heart muscle and electrical arrest. The cardiotoxic and lethal effects could be prevented by prior incubation of hemolysin with cholesterol, heating, or failure to reactivate the preparation with cysteine.