Wasting disease induced with cortisol acetate: studies in germ-free mice.

A marked difference in mortality was observed between germ-free mice and conventionally reared mice, both given a single injection of cortisol acetate. The incidence of death in germ-free mice was significantly lower than in conventionally reared mice. Mortality in germ-free mice treated with cortisol acetate was in creased by monocontamination with Escherichia coli.