Comparison of translocation of different types of microorganisms from the intestinal tract of burned mice

The aim of this study was to compare the ability of various microorganisms to translocate from the intestine to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), liv er, and spleen in a burned mouse model. Balb/c mice were gavaged with 1 x 1 09 or 1 x 10(10) of one of 11 different microorganisms. All animals were th en given a 20% burn. Survival after 10 days showed no significant differenc e between any of the groups at the 1010 dose. At the 109 dose, significantl y higher survival rates were found in three of the 11 strains. Microbial tr anslocation (gavage of 1010 In-111-labeled organisms) and host's ability to kill translocated bacteria (viable bacteria in tissues) were measured foll owed by burn injury and sacrifice four hours later. Translocation and killi ng of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli was high in the MLNs compared with all other groups but translocation was lower to the liver. Kl ebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Serratia translocated more evenly to all the tis sues. However, these groups showed very high clearance of bacteria in the l iver and spleen except for Klebsiella and one strain of Pseudomonas in the spleen. Candida showed poor translocation to all of the tissues and high cl earance. It is concluded that various strains of bacteria translocate from the intestine to a similar degree after injury, but the tissues to which th ey translocate and the rate at which they are killed are somewhat strain de pendent.