Short-term responses in neonatal lambs after infusion of group B streptococcal extract

Short-term (0 to 30 minutes) physiologic responses of neonatal lambs infused with a trichloroacetic extract of a type III (strain 878) group B streptococcus (878-TCA) were studied. Bolus injections of 878-TCA were associated with pulmonary hypertension, peripheral arterial hypoxemia, and reductions in circulating white blood cell and platelet counts. These events were associated with a rise in plasma levels of prostaglandins F2 alpha and E and could be prevented by proper treatment with ibuprofen. Continuous infusions of 878-TCA were associated with a dose-dependent rise in systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures and a fall in arterial PO2. During infusion, inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis resulted in a return toward preinfusion values. The authors conclude that venous infusions of extracts of 878-TCA induce significant pulmonary and systemic arterial vascular perturbations in the neonatal lamb and that some of these alterations are associated with the release of prostaglandins or other arachidonic acid metabolites.