Effect of detergent on protease-induced mortality and pulmonary histopathology

Adddition of an anionic detergent to aerosols of Bacillus subtilis protease markedly increased mortality in guinea pigs following a single aerosol exposure and altered the nature of the lung pathology after exposure. It was observed that the detergent inhibited in vitro activity of serum protease inhibitors and it is suggested that such impairment may be, in part, responsible for the observed in vivo effects of detergent on protease-induced mortality and pulmonary pathology.