Treatment of pneumococcal postsplenectomy sepsis in the rat with human gamma-globulin.
A rat model was used to evaluate the possible effect on experimental postsplenectomy sepsis of a human gamma-globulin preparation for intravenous use (Sandoglobulin). Sixty splenectomized male Sprague-Dawley rats were given 3 X 10(3) Streptococcus pneumoniae type 1 intravenously. Twelve of the animals received no treatment and all died, in contrast to 12 sham-operated controls which all survived the challenge. The remaining splenectomized rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of 12 animals. One group was given 120 mg human gamma-globulin twice intraperitoneally (0.3 g/kg body wt), at 18 and 42 hr, after challenge; 10 of the 12 survived, in contrast to none of the 12 in the second group receiving 120 mg human albumin instead of gamma-globulin (P = 0.00003). When the injections were delayed to 24 and 48 hr, 9/12 gamma-globulin-treated animals still survived, in contrast to 0/12 in the albumin group. These findings point to new possibilities for treatment and perhaps prevention of overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis by administration of high doses of gamma-globulins.
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K
Offenbartl
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P
Christensen
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P
Gullstrand
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K
Prellner
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Seger
D000418:Albumins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000379:methods*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000418:Albumins; D005719:gamma-Globulins