Mixed bacterial infection model of sepsis in rabbits and its application to evaluate superantigen-adsorbing device.
BACKGROUND
Superantigens are suspected to be the potent and lethal pathogens of gram-positive sepsis, and a new therapy that targeted to superantigens are required.


METHODS
A mixed infection model was developed in rabbits by the cecal ligation and puncture associated with the intraperitoneal injection of Staphylococcus aureus, which produces toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1). Animals were also hemoperfused with a superantigen-adsorbing device (SAAD), or a control column.


RESULTS
The model animals revealed multiple organ failure and died 6-12 h after the injection of S. aureus. The plasma levels of TSST-1, but not of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), significantly (p < 0.01) and inversely correlated with mean arterial pressure (r = -0.63). Plasma TSST-1 level was significantly reduced and shock-onset time was significantly retarded in the SAAD treated group, although the survival time was not significantly affected.


CONCLUSIONS
The animal model developed could serve as a model for sepsis. It is suggested that there is the potential application of SAAD in treating superantigen-related sepsis.
Fukuyama
Mayumi
M
Specialty Material Research Laboratories, Toray Industries, Inc., Shiga, Japan.
Miwa
Keishi
K
Shibayama
Naoko
N
Ogura
Shinji
S
Nishiyama
Takashi
T
Maekawa
Nobuhiro
N
D000327:Adsorption; D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000097:blood; D006464:Hemoperfusion / Q000379:methods*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D018805:Sepsis / Q000628:therapy*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D018089:Superantigens / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D018089:Superantigens; C030107:enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal