Related Experiment Videos
Bacterial translocation is prolonged in burned mice infected with cytomegalovirus
E J Erickson1, J R Saffle, S E Morris
1Department of Surgery, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City 84132.
Abstract:
Cytomegalovirus is seen frequently in patients with burns and may enhance morbidity and mortality rates. Burned BALB/c mice that were given murine cytomegalovirus by intraperitoneal injection demonstrate increased bacterial translocation, as evidenced by positive mesenteric lymph node culture at 5 days after burn injury. The present experiment was conducted to investigate the time course and mechanism of this effect. A significant delay in the resolution of positive mesenteric lymph node cultures was observed with thermal injury alone. This was further reduced by the addition of murine cytomegalovirus infection to thermal injury. No such delay was seen with murine cytomegalovirus infection alone or in controls.
Insights
Cytomegalovirus infection exacerbates bacterial translocation in burned mice, worsening outcomes. Thermal injury alone also delays bacterial clearance, with cytomegalovirus further impairing this recovery.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Burn Medicine
Background:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is frequently observed in burn patients, potentially increasing mortality.
- Burn injuries can compromise immune function and increase susceptibility to secondary infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the time course and mechanism by which murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection affects bacterial translocation after thermal injury.
- To determine the impact of MCMV infection on the resolution of bacterial translocation in burned mice.
Main Methods:
- Burned BALB/c mice were infected with MCMV via intraperitoneal injection.
- Bacterial translocation was assessed by culturing mesenteric lymph nodes at various time points post-injury.
- Comparisons were made between groups with thermal injury alone, MCMV infection alone, combined thermal injury and MCMV, and controls.
Main Results:
- Thermal injury alone caused a significant delay in the resolution of positive mesenteric lymph node cultures.
- The addition of MCMV infection to thermal injury further exacerbated this delay in bacterial clearance.
- MCMV infection alone or in control groups did not result in a delay of positive mesenteric lymph node cultures.
Conclusions:
- Combined thermal injury and MCMV infection significantly impair the body's ability to clear bacteria, increasing translocation.
- CMV infection may worsen the prognosis for burn patients by hindering the resolution of bacterial infections.