Background and Objectives: Shiga-like toxins I and II (Stx1 and Stx2) play an important role in the pathogenesis of renal disease by causing renal microvascular injury. A murine model was used to study glomerular lesions produced by Stx1 and Stx2. Methods: Swiss albino mice of the Rockefeller strain were inoculated intraperitoneally with LD(50) doses of endotoxin-free Stx1 of Stx2 and observed for signs of disease. Samples of renal cortical tissue from mice were examined with the electron microscope. Results: the mice developed systemic and neurological symptoms including hind limb paralysis and generalised convulsions. Renal arteriolar damage and glomerular endothelial cytoplasmic swelling, vacuolation, lysis and intravascular coagulation were present and resembled the microangiopathy seen in renal biopsies from patients. Interpretation and Conclusions: these experiments establish the role of Stx1 and Stx2 in glomerular vascular injury and provide a model for studying the pathogenesis of Shiga-like toxin related microangiopathy
