Shwartzman reaction in the brain induced by fractions of Fusobacterium necrophorum and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide in rabbits.

Multifocal fibrin thrombosis and suppurative meningitis in the central nervous system was induced by intracerebral inoculation with a cytoplasmic or supernatant fraction of Fusobacterium necrophorum followed by intravenous inoculation with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide endotoxin in rabbits. Formation of fibrin thrombosis was reduced by heparin administration. Single intracerebral inoculation with the cytoplasmic or supernatant fraction caused suppurative meningitis. Nervous lesions were often associated with fibrinoid degeneration of the blood vessels. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide endotoxin did not induce apparent meningitis or fibrin thrombosis. The formation of fibrin thrombosis in the central nervous system might be attributable to the Shwartzman reaction.