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Bacterial phagocytosis in obstructive jaundice. A microbiologic and electron microscopic analysis
S K Ball1, J B Grogan, B J Collier
1Department of Surgery, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson.
The American Surgeon
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Obstructive jaundice in rats impairs the immune system, leading to persistent bacterial infections. Despite Kupffer cells ingesting bacteria, their ability to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus is compromised.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Obstructive jaundice is linked to increased infection susceptibility.
- Reticuloendothelial system (RES) dysfunction is a proposed mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the immune response of cholestatic rats to bacterial challenge.
- Examine Kupffer cell bacterial uptake in obstructive jaundice.
Main Methods:
- Rats underwent bile duct ligation (BDL) or sham celiotomy (SC).
- Animals were challenged with Staphylococcus aureus intravenously.
- Bacterial clearance, liver/lung cultures, and Kupffer cell phagocytosis were assessed via electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- BDL rats showed persistent bacteremia compared to SC rats.
- Electron microscopy revealed bacteria within Kupffer cell vesicles in both groups.
- No morphological differences in phagocytic vesicles were observed between BDL and SC rats.
Conclusions:
- Bile duct ligation in rats leads to persistent bacteremia despite bacterial uptake by Kupffer cells.
- This suggests a defect in intracellular bacterial killing or impaired delivery to RES cells.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanism of impaired bacterial clearance in obstructive jaundice.