Experimental peritonitis in horses: peritoneal fluid composition

Abstract

Sixteen adult horses were randomly divided into four equal groups of four animals and each group was injected intraperitoneally with one of the following suspension: Group I, 100×10(7) colony-forming units (CFU) of E. coli diluted in 500ml of 0.9% saline; Group II, 100×10(7) CFU of Bacteroides fragilis in 500ml of 0.9% saline; Group III, 100×10(7) CFU of E. coli in combination with 100×10(7) CFU of B. fragilis in 500ml of 0.9% saline; Group IV, 500ml of 0.9% saline. A significant increase in leukocyte number was observed in the peritoneal fluid by four hours after the inoculations in animals of Group I and II, and by eight hours in animals of Group III. The highest cell count observed was 516×10³ leukocytes/mm³. Significant increases in peritoneal fluid fibrinogen (1g/dl) and total protein (9.1%) concentrations were also observed. Horses inoculated with pure cultures of either E. coli or B. fragilis demonstrated mild and self-limiting peritonitis, while those inoculated with a combination of both bacteria demonstrated laboratory findings of higher intensity and duration.

Effects of Lidocaine Infusion during Experimental Endotoxemia in Horses

“…In addition, serial PF collection is not a sufficient stimulus to evoke a high migration of PMN cells into the abdominal cavity. 21,47,55 Although horses developed mild signs of endotoxemia during this study, they did not have increased serum or PF NO concentrations, which contrasts with findings in humans, rats, mice, rabbits, and dogs receiving endotoxin. 56,57 The values for NO concentrations described in this study are similar to those found in clinically normal horses but lower than those found in horses with strangulating obstruction of the small intestine.…”

“…45 In contrast, the increase in the number of nucleated cells, PMN and MN cells, fibrinogen concentration, and total protein concentration in PF after IP injection of LPS in both groups characterizes acute peritoneal inflammation. 21,46,47 We expected lidocaine would attenuate the increase in microvascular permeability 48 induced by endotoxin in horses. However, due to leakage of protein into the abdominal cavity in both groups, we speculate that lidocaine did not affect activation of complement system 49 or the release of histamine by mast cells.…”

Peritoneal fluid changes in horses subjected to small colon distension

“…Serial sampling of peritoneal fluid did not result in any adverse effects during this experimental period, corroborating previous findings (Juzwiak et al 1991, Mendes et al 1999, and therefore can be considered a safe technique. However, abdominocentesis should be performed with care since complications, although uncommon, have been reported and can be serious (Tulleners 1983).…”

“…Peritoneal fluid glucose concentrations below 30 mg/dL and fibrinogen concentrations above 200mg/dL were shown to be associated with clinical cases of septic peritonitis (Van Hoogmoed et al 1999). Significant increases in peritoneal fluid fibrinogen concentration have also been observed in experimental models of peritonitis (Faria et al 1999, Mendes et al 1999.…”

Effect of Age and Abomasal Puncture on Peritoneal Fluid, Hematology, and Serum Biochemical Analyses in Young Calves

“…The peritoneal fluid fibrinogen concentration is an ancillary diagnostic test in horses, 12 as it is indicative of vascular and inflammatory injuries. 13 The statistically significant increase in the fibrinogen concentration observed at 30 days of age is most likely due to a physiological increase in the peritoneal fluid protein level at this age; however, it is possible that it was caused by local inflammation associated with the collection.…”