The host response to anthrax lethal toxin: unexpected observations.
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is believed to induce disease and death in humans in an endotoxic shock-like manner. A comprehensive study of the effects of anthrax toxin in mice demonstrates that toxin-induced death is mediated not by cytokine release, as previously thought, but by hypoxia-induced liver failure. The study strongly suggests that the therapies developed for treatment of cytokine-mediated septic shock will not be appropriate for the treatment of anthrax.
Prince
Alice S
AS
Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA. asp7@columbia.edu
D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D010957:Plasmids; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D037521:Virulence Factors; C030325:anthrax toxin