Microbiology of bacterial translocation in humans.
BACKGROUND
Gut translocation of bacteria has been shown in both animal and human studies. Evidence from animal studies that links bacteria translocation to the development of postoperative sepsis and multiple organ failure has yet to be confirmed in humans.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the spectrum of bacteria involved in translocation in surgical patients undergoing laparotomy and to determine the relation between nodal migration of bacteria and the development of postoperative septic complications.


METHODS
Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), serosal scrapings, and peripheral blood from 448 surgical patients undergoing laparotomy were analysed using standard microbiological techniques.


RESULTS
Bacterial translocation was identified in 69 patients (15.4%). The most common organism identified was Escherichia coli (54%). Both enteric bacteria, typical of indigenous intestinal flora, and non-enteric bacteria were isolated. Postoperative septic complications developed in 104 patients (23%). Enteric organisms were responsible in 74% of patients. Forty one per cent of patients who had evidence of bacterial translocation developed sepsis compared with 14% in whom no organisms were cultured (p < 0.001). Septic morbidity was more frequent when a greater diversity of bacteria resided within the MLN, but this was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Bacterial translocation is associated with a significant increase in the development of postoperative sepsis in surgical patients. The organisms responsible for septic morbidity are similar in spectrum to those observed in the mesenteric lymph nodes. These data strongly support the gut origin hypothesis of sepsis in humans.
O'Boyle
C J
CJ
Combined Gastroenterology Service, Scarborough Hospital, North Yorkshire, UK.
MacFie
J
J
Mitchell
C J
CJ
Johnstone
D
D
Sagar
P M
PM
Sedman
P C
PC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence