Effect of zymosan on dogs subjected to hemorrhagic hypotension

Abstract

Injection of zymosan intravenously, or subcutaneously in combination with adjuvants, increased the survival rate of dogs subjected to hemorrhagic hypotension ( P = <0.04). As a result of the zymosan injections, properdin titers were increased by more than 25% in 14 of 24 dogs. Of the animals with significantly increased properdin levels, 71% survived. Only 30% of dogs survived in a group in which the properdin titer did not rise. This mortality rate is virtually identical with a control series of animals which were similarly treated, but which did not receive zymosan.