Triamcinolone-induced systemic infections in female mice

Six-week-old female mice were injected for prolonged periods of time with a synthetic glucocorticoid (triamcinolone diacetate). With the progression of the experiment the mortality rate increased significantly. Tissue samples were obtained from the surviving animals after 10, 22, 35 and 45 consecutive daily injections. Cultures were obtained from kidney and liver homogenates as well as from blood samples. Quantitative measurements indicated severe renal and hepatic infections which were followed by bactoeremia. The prevalent organisms in all cultures were enterobacteriae such as E. coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Streptococcus fecalis. Placebo-control animals which received daily injections of the vehicle revealed a moderate, transient infection.