Effects of Clostridium perfringens recombinant and crude phospholipase C and theta-toxin on rabbit hemodynamic parameters.
Clostridium perfringens exotoxins have been implicated as major virulence factors responsible for shock and organ failure in gas gangrene, yet the mechanism(s) by which they mediate cardiovascular dysfunction remain enigmatic. Recombinant (r) phospholipase C (PLC), r theta-toxin, culture supernatant (crude toxin), or 0.9% NaCl was infused intravenously into awake rabbits. Cardiac index (CI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), central venous pressure (CVP), arterial blood gases, and hematocrit were measured 1 h before and for 3 h after toxin infusion. Crude toxin and rPLC decreased CI, MAP, and HR and increased CVP; mortality was 87.5% and 83%, respectively. r theta-toxin did not decrease CI or MAP and mortality was 25%. Further, crude toxin and rPLC but not r theta-toxin inhibited cardiac contractility (dF/dt) in isolated rabbit atrial muscles. These results suggest that PLC-induced myocardial dysfunction contributes to shock in C. perfringens infection.
Asmuth
D M
DM
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0835, USA.
Olson
R D
RD
Hackett
S P
SP
Bryant
A E
AE
Tweten
R K
RK
Tso
J Y
JY
Zollman
T
T
Stevens
D L
DL
D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002496:Central Venous Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003016:Clostridium perfringens; D004911:Erythrocyte Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011817:Rabbits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors; D010738:Type C Phospholipases / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C020452:Clostridium perfringens theta-toxin; D010738:Type C Phospholipases; D010100:Oxygen