Influence of immunoglobulin and interleukin 2 on the translocation of microorganisms from gut into blood.

The aim of this study was to influence the translocation of microorganisms and endotoxin from the gut of septic rats by the intravenous (i.v.) administration of immunoglobulin and interleukin 2. Acute infection was induced in all animals by an intraperitoneal bacterial challenge of 2 x 10(6) microorganisms (Ps. aeruginosa, E. coli, Kleb. pneumoniae). Immediately after the bacterial challenge control animals were given albumin i.v. whereas the experimental groups were given immunoglobulin or interleukin 2. A significant reduction of bacteria in the plasma of rats was observed in immunoglobulin treated animals (10,000 CFU/ml vs 450 CFU/ml). This was accompanied by an increase of plasma endotoxin of nearly 100% within the first 2 h. Interleukin 2 essentially did not change the bacterial count in comparison with albumin-treated control animals but reduced the endotoxin level in plasma up to tenfold. It is concluded that both immunoglobulins and interleukin 2 are involved in severe infections. Whereas immunoglobulins reduce bacterial translocation, interleukin 2 stimulates the elimination of endotoxin.