Pulmonary hemorrhage in hamsters after exposure to proteolytic enzymes of Bacillus subtilis.

Single exposures of Syrian hamsters by aerosol inhalation or intratracheal instillation to proteolytic enzymes of Bacillus subtilis produced massive pulmonary hemorrhage within the first week. Of 46 animals exposed, eight died as a result of extensive hemorrhage. The remainder made uneventful recovery with no apparent residual pulmonary disease 6 weeks after exposure.