Acute inflammatory effects of intratracheally instilled Escherichia coli endotoxin and sonicated suspension of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae in swine.

A single bolus of either Escherichia coli endotoxin, sonicated suspension of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae, or pyrogen-free normal saline was intratracheally instilled in six week old specific-pathogen-free pigs. Pigs exposed to E. coli endotoxin developed fever, leukopenia followed by leukocytosis, and endotoxemia. Leukocytosis was the only clinical abnormality noted in pigs receiving the sonicated suspension of H. pleuropneumoniae. At one day postexposure, focal areas of atelectasis and consolidation were observed in the caudal lung lobes of animals receiving either E. coli endotoxin or the sonicated suspension of H. pleuropneumoniae. Lesions were characterized by a neutrophilic bronchitis and bronchiolitis with alveolitis in the surrounding tissue. Increased numbers of alveolar macrophages and evidence of phagocytosis were observed by light and electron microscopy. No clinical abnormalities or lesions were observed in animals receiving normal saline. Lesions typical of acute porcine Haemophilus pleuropneumonia were not produced by either E. coli endotoxin or sonicated suspension of H. pleuropneumoniae, indicating that multiple virulence factors are probably involved in lesion development.