title: Characterization of an animal model of severe sepsis associated with respiratory dysfunction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pathophysiological studies in humans regarding sepsis are difficult to perform due to ethical and methodological concerns. In this context, animal models of sepsis can be useful to better understand this condition and to test therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this study was to characterize a feasible and clinically relevant model of sepsis in pigs that could be useful for testing different therapeutic interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  5 White Large pigs were anesthetized, arterial and pulmonary catheters were introduced, and sepsis was induced by fecal peritonitis. Several biochemical indicators of organ dysfunction and infectious parameters were measured. The pigs were monitored until death, when fragments of organs were removed for pathology. Three animals without peritonitis served as controls and were sacrificed 24 hours after surgery without developing significant changes in organ function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Septic pigs survived 17 hours on average (range, 16-18 h), and Escherichia coli was recovered from blood cultures. They developed a significant decrease in left ventricular work and a nonsignificant reduction in mixed venous oxygen saturation. Respiratory dysfunction was characterized by a decrease in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio and respiratory compliance. Pathology of the lungs revealed areas of pulmonary collapse, hemorrhage, pulmonary congestion, and discrete neutrophil infiltrate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fecal peritonitis in pigs is a clinically relevant model of sepsis associated with acute lung injury without direct pulmonary insult. This model may prove to be useful for studying pathogenic aspects of secondary lung injury as well as for validating ventilatory or pharmacologic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Research and Education Institute, Hospital Sírio-Libanês.
authors.forename: Luciano Cesar Pontes
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: de Azevedo
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Danilo Teixeira
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Noritomi
authors.forename: Alexandre Toledo
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.forename: Milena Karina
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Brunialti
authors.forename: Reinaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salomão
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications*; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013552:Swine