[Intestinal lymphatic circulation is one of the important portals for microbial translocation after thermal injury]

The goal of this study was to determine whether the bacteria and endotoxin from GI tract could pass through the intestinal lymph circulation to the systemic circulation after severe thermal injury. Lymphatic fistula of intestine was created in 46 Wistar rats the rats were then divided randomly in scald and control groups. In scald group, animals were sustained with 30% TBSA full-thickness scald. The items studied were, the dynamic changes in intestinal lymph endotoxin level, the qualitative and quantitative bacterial culture, and pathological alterations in ileal mucosa within 24 hours postburn. Results showed that the levels of intestinal lymph endotoxin and the positive culture rate and counting of bacteria were evidently increased, and ileal mucosal lacteals were dilated and epithelial cells were necrotic and denudated in scald group. These suggested that the intestinal lymph circulation is one of the important portals for endotoxin and microbial translocation after severe thermal injury, and the intestinal mucosal damage is an important factor in pathogenesis.