Bacterial load in animal models of acute and chronic 'reactivated' colitis.
BACKGROUND
The involvement of enteropathogenic microorganisms in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their importance in the different phases of inflammation are still unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To quantify the aerobic bacterial load in models of acute and chronic 'reactivated' colitis, and correlate this with damage.


METHODS
Acute colitis was induced in rats by administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) or dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Colitis was 'reactivated' 6 weeks later by intravenous administration of TNBS. The distal colon was removed and scored macroscopically before inoculating samples.


RESULTS
Bacterial load in rats with acute colitis (72 h) and chronic 'reactivated' colitis or their controls was significantly higher than untreated (p < 0.05); however, there were significantly more bacteria in acute colitis than in chronic 'reactivated' or their controls (p < 0.05). Both acute and chronic 'reactivated' colitis had significantly higher damage scores than untreated animals (p < 0.05). Bacterial load and damage score were significantly correlated only with acute colitis.


CONCLUSIONS
The role of enteric microflora in the pathogenesis of IBD is greater during the acute phase of colitis. The correlation between bacterial load and tissue damage suggests that damage contributes to bacterial multiplication and exacerbation of colitis. Normal colonic flora may contribute to the relapse of the disease.
Hernández
Gerardo A
GA
Department of Physiology, Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Appleyard
Caroline B
CB
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods*; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012008:Recurrence; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D009195:Peroxidase