Colonic function in acute Yersinia enterocolitica infection in rabbits

The impact of acute Yersinia enterocolitica infection on colonic fluid and electrolyte absorption was studied. New Zealand White rabbits (500-600 g), were infected with Yersinia enterocolitica and compared to unmanipulated controls and pair-fed controls. Water and electrolyte transport were measured in proximal and distal colon by an in vivo single pass perfusion technique and in proximal colon in vitro under short-circuited conditions in Ussing chambers. Infection resulted in severe histologic damage in proximal colon but only mild alterations in distal colon. Pair-fed controls demonstrated decreased absorption in vivo in both proximal and distal colon and Na+ and Cl- secretion in vitro in proximal colon compared to unmanipulated controls. In contrast infection did not alter water and electrolyte absorption in vivo compared to unmanipulated controls despite evidence of net secretion of Na+ and Cl- in vitro. These results indicate that Yersinia enterocolitica infection of the colon does not contribute to fluid and electrolyte losses despite mucosal damage, but rather there appears to be a degree of compensatory colonic salvage.