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Published on: December 18, 2010
The acute-phase response impairs host defence against Enterococcus faecium peritonitis
Masja Leendertse1, Rob J L Willems, Ida A J Giebelen
1Centre for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands. m.leendertse@amc.uva.nl
Immunology
|January 30, 2009
Summary
The acute-phase response impairs the body's ability to fight Enterococcus faecium infections. This heightened inflammatory state reduces immune defenses, prolonging bacterial infections in patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Enterococcus faecium is a growing cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in patients with underlying conditions.
- These conditions often trigger an acute-phase response, increasing susceptibility to nosocomial pathogens.
- The acute-phase response is a systemic inflammatory reaction to tissue injury or infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how an acute-phase response, induced by sterile tissue injury, affects the host's defense mechanisms against Enterococcus faecium.
- To understand the impact of pre-existing inflammation on the course of E. faecium bacteremia.
Main Methods:
- Mice were induced into an acute-phase response using subcutaneous injections of turpentine or casein.
- Following induction, mice were infected intraperitoneally with E. faecium.
- Control groups received saline or sodium bicarbonate injections.
- Plasma concentrations of inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, serum amyloid P, C3) were measured.
- Bacterial clearance, duration of bacteremia, and inflammatory cell responses (neutrophilic leucocytosis, local cytokines) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Induction of an acute-phase response was confirmed by elevated plasma inflammatory markers.
- Mice with a pre-existing acute-phase response showed significantly reduced ability to clear E. faecium.
- This resulted in prolonged bacteremia lasting several days.
- The inflammatory response to E. faecium infection was impaired, evidenced by diminished neutrophilic response and lower local cytokine levels.
Conclusions:
- The acute-phase response significantly impairs the host's defense against Enterococcus faecium infections.
- This impairment manifests as reduced bacterial clearance and a weakened inflammatory response.
- These findings suggest that the acute-phase response may contribute to the increased vulnerability of critically ill patients to enterococcal infections.
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