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[Does heparin modify the course of chronic abscess-forming peritonitis in the animal model?]
A Woltmann1, K Kattenbeck, R Broll
1Klinik für Chirurgie, Medizinische Universität zu Lübeck.
Abstract:
After laparotomy and inoculation of a Bacteroides fragilis suspension (2 ml with 10(8) CFU/ml), we induced chronic abscess-forming peritonitis in rats (n = 19, untreated). Fifteen animals were treated with heparin 30 IU, administered s.c. from day 1 after inoculation of the bacteria onwards. The main groups were divided into three subgroups (n = 8/5/6 and n = 5/5/5), which were observed for 3/7/14 days, respectively. On days 3 and 7, abdominal swabs were not only B. fragilis positive, but also showed severe polyvalent mixed infection after translocation of intestinal bacteria into the abdominal cavity. In the heparin group, B. fragilis positive swabs were reduced and translocation was inhibited (P < 0.05 for days 3 and 7). In the untreated group, blood cultures were B. fragilis positive on days 3/7/14 in 3/2/1 animals versus 0/1/1 in the heparin group. Adhesions were found in the untreated group in 1/4/5 animals, whereas in the heparin group there were no adhesions (P < 0.05 for days 7 and 14). However, intra-abdominal abscesses were also diminished in the heparin group (0/2/1) compared with the untreated animals (2/4/6, P < 0.05 for day 14). Therefore, heparin was shown to have a favourable influence on chronic abscess-forming peritonitis in an animal model.
Insights
Heparin treatment reduced bacterial translocation and abscess formation in a rat model of chronic peritonitis. This suggests heparin may be beneficial in managing complex intra-abdominal infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Animal Models
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Chronic abscess-forming peritonitis is a severe complication following abdominal surgery.
- Bacteroides fragilis is a common pathogen in intra-abdominal infections.
- Intestinal bacterial translocation contributes to the severity of peritonitis.
Purpose:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of heparin in a rat model of chronic abscess-forming peritonitis.
- To evaluate the effect of heparin on bacterial translocation, adhesion formation, and abscess development.
Summary:
- Rats with induced peritonitis were treated with heparin or left untreated.
- Heparin administration significantly reduced B. fragilis-positive swabs and inhibited bacterial translocation.
- Heparin treatment also decreased the incidence of adhesions and intra-abdominal abscesses.
Impact:
- Heparin demonstrated a favorable influence on chronic abscess-forming peritonitis in this animal model.
- These findings suggest a potential role for heparin in the management of complex intra-abdominal infections.
- Further research may explore heparin's mechanisms of action in peritonitis.