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), liver, and spleen in a burned mouse model. Balb/c mice were gavaged with 1 x 10(9) or 1 x 10(10) of one of 11 different microorganisms. All animals were then given a 20% burn. Survival after 10 days showed no significant difference between any of the groups at the 10(10) dose. At the 10(9) dose, significantly higher survival rates were found in three of the 11 strains. Microbial translocation (gavage of 10(10) 111In-labeled organisms) and host's ability to kill translocated bacteria (viable bacteria in tissues) were measured followed by burn injury and sacrifice four hours later. Translocation and killing of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli was high in the MLNs compared with all other groups but translocation was lower to the liver. Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Serratia translocated more evenly to all the tissues. However, these groups showed very high clearance of bacteria in the liver and spleen except for Klebsiella and one strain of Pseudomonas in the spleen. Candida showed poor translocation to all of the tissues and high clearance. It is concluded that various strains of bacteria translocate from the intestine to a similar degree after injury, but the tissues to which they translocate and the rate at which they are killed are somewhat strain dependent.