Possible Role of Leucocyte Granules in the Shwartzman and Arthus Reactions.

Preparation of the skin of rabbits by intradermal injection of the granule fraction obtained from peritoneal granulocytes, followed by intravenous injection of endotoxin, results in lesions of hemorrhagic necrosis which resemble the local Shwartzman phenomenon. An injection of granules into the skin enhances the reactivity of this area to the reversed passive Arthus phenomenon, and makes it possible to elicit this reaction in leucopenic animals. It is suggested that one or more of the acid hydrolases contained in granules may be implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular damage in the Shwartzman and Arthus reactions.