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Pulmonary compliance: alteration during infection
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 8, 1971
Summary
Infection with Mycoplasma pulmonis increases lung surface forces, making rat lungs harder to inflate. This suggests the lung surfactant system is disrupted by the infection.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Microbiology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Mycoplasma pulmonis is a common respiratory pathogen in rodents.
- Respiratory infections can alter lung mechanics and gas exchange.
- The lung surfactant system is crucial for maintaining alveolar stability and reducing surface tension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Mycoplasma pulmonis infection on lung mechanics.
- To determine if infection alters pulmonary surface forces.
- To assess the integrity of the lung surfactant system in infected lungs.
Main Methods:
- Excised rat lungs were inflated with air and saline.
- Lung compliance was measured in infected and control groups.
- Differences in inflation pressure and volume were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Lungs from Mycoplasma pulmonis-infected rats were significantly harder to inflate with air compared to controls.
- No significant differences in inflation were observed when using saline.
- This indicates an increase in surface forces within the infected lungs.
Conclusions:
- Mycoplasma pulmonis infection impairs lung function by increasing surface forces.
- The findings suggest a disruption of the lung surfactant system.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of surfactant dysfunction.