Clinical chemistry of staphylococcal enterotoxin poisoning in monkeys.

Clinical chemistry values were examined in 90 monkeys administered a purified preparation of staphylococcal enterotoxin, type B, intravenously. These studies showed an early release of epinephrine accompanied by a mild increase in blood glucose. This was followed by progressively developing prolonged hypoglycemia. An early increase in bloodurea nitrogen occurred, presumably as a result of both prerenal azotemia and functional renal failure seen in association with the observed hypotension. Serum protein, Ca, and Cl concentrations decreased with time. Pi levels increased, whereas Na and K concentrations in serum remained unchanged. Serum enzyme concentrations were unchanged, with the exception of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, which rose rapidly when compared with prechallenge control observations or with values from sham-challenged monkeys. These changes were statistically significant. These results suggested that enterotoxin administered intravenously produced early change in glucose metabolism, possibly related initially to catecholamine release and later to increased utilization of glucose and metabolic acidosis. Other findings were compatible with tissue breakdown at as yet undetermined locations and with loss of endothelial membrane integrity, as evidenced by loss of protein from the vascular space.