Modulation of inflammatory reactions by previous contact with Escherichia coli in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To find out if contact with Escherichia coli had any effect on a subsequent inflammatory reaction induced by the same micro-organism.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


METHODS
University laboratory.


METHODS
Male white Wistar rats divided into groups of 6 to 10.


METHODS
Pretreatment with sponges soaked in 1 x 10(9) heat killed E. coli inserted either subcutaneously into the back or intraperitoneally into the right hypochondrium, and 14 days later repeat challenge. Controls received sponges soaked either in saline with penicillin and streptomycin or with carrageenan lambda. Pretreatment with live or heat killed E. coli or E. coli endotoxin injected intradermally or intraperitoneally (controls were given saline).


METHODS
Number of white cells present in the inflammatory infiltrate and the peritoneal cavity, and titres of anti-E. coli antibody.


RESULTS
Pretreatment of Wistar rats with heat-killed or live E. coli (ATCC 25922) was followed by increase in the cellular infiltrates at the site of subsequent challenge with the same micro-organism. The effect was not related to the synthesis of anti-E. coli antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical patients have commonly been in previous contact with E. coli; this might affect their inflammatory reactions if they came into contact with the organism after operation. Further studies are needed to clarify the precise mechanisms and clinical relevance of these findings.
Kinnaert
P
P
Laboratoire Pluridisciplinaire de Recherches Expérimentales Biomédicales and Service de Bactériologie, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
Van Geertruyden
N
N
Bournonville
B
B
Struelens
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002465:Cell Movement; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000276:immunology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology*; D006098:Granulocytes; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004731:Endotoxins