Induction of hypersensitivity reactions to Lactobacillus fermentum and lipoteichoic acid in rabbits. Part II.

Regimens of intravenous injections of saline-washed Lactobacillus fermentum elicited hypersensitivity reactions in rabbits. Pathological investigation revealed evidence consistent with induction of aggregate anaphylaxis, characterised by acute cor pulmonale. Additional evidence of similar tissue injury was observed in livers of rabbits which had received several intravenous injections of L. fermentum. Deposition of immune complexes in kidney glomeruli was demonstrated in only 1 out of 11 animals. Skin testing experiments revealed that lipoteichoic acid was involved in type I and type II antibody-mediated hypersensitive states. The involvement of bacterial cell surface components and extracellular products in such reactions implies a potential role in host tissue injury.