Analysis of the temporal events in blood and tissues following fecal peritonitis in mice.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The kinetics of systemic responses triggered by bacterial peritonitis were analysed in the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and several organs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The murine model of cecal ligation and puncture was employed. The parameters were analysed at different periods of time (4 to 72 h). RESULTS: Fecal peritonitis triggered a progressive, but not significant, decline of blood leukocytes between 4 and 6 h, becoming significant at 24 to 48 h (p<0.05). This profile was closely associated with the enhancement of leukocytes both in the abdomen (p<0.05) and in the BAL (p<0.05). A significant abdominal exudation was detected between 4 and 72 h (p<0.01), whereas maximal growth of aerobic bacteria in the blood and lungs was observed 24 and 72 h after. Maximal exudation in the studied tissues occurred at different time points (heart=24 h, spleen and kidney=48 h, liver and lung= 72 h). CONCLUSION: Using this model, evidence of sepsis can be easily measured in different body systems.