title: The histopathological and ultrastructural effects of the topical application of bacitracin on the cerebral cortex in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bacitracin is one of the most frequently used agents for the topical irrigation of the cerebral cortex. The aim of this study is to investigate whether bacitracin has histopathological and ultrastructural effects when applied topically to the cerebral cortex.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight rats were randomly assigned to four groups. Except the control group, each rat underwent left frontoparietal craniectomy with dural removal. Then, in the sham group a piece of dry absorbable gelatin sponge was placed over the left hemisphere; in the saline group a gelatin sponge soaked in normal saline; and in the bacitracin group a gelatin sponge soaked in 500 units bacitracin was used. After 48 hours, brain tissues were extracted for histopathological and electron microscopic analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the four groups dark stained neurons were found to be statistically higher in number in the bacitracin group compared with the control, sham and saline groups. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed that, in the bacitracin group, almost all cytoplasmic organelles were poorly preserved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical application of the bacitracin on to the cerebral cortex caused histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the neural tissue. These changes may be an evidence for the neurotoxic effects of bacitracin.
authors: Ministry of Health, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital, Neurosurgery Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Erdal Resit
authors: ER
authors: Yilmaz
authors: Bora
authors: B
authors: Gurer
authors: Hayri
authors: H
authors: Kertmen
authors: Askin Esen
authors: AE
authors: Hasturk
authors: Oya
authors: O
authors: Evirgen
authors: Nazli
authors: N
authors: Hayirli
authors: Hilal
authors: H
authors: Gokturk
authors: Belgin
authors: B
authors: Can
authors: Yusuf Sukru
authors: YS
authors: Caglar
authors: Zeki
authors: Z
authors: Sekerci
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001414:Bacitracin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001414:Bacitracin