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. 1989 Sep;210(3):342–347. doi: 10.1097/00000658-198909000-00010

Does the bacteremia observed in hemorrhagic shock have clinical significance? A study in germ-free animals.

B F Rush Jr 1, J A Redan 1, J J Flanagan Jr 1, J B Heneghan 1, J Hsieh 1, T F Murphy 1, S Smith 1, G W Machiedo 1
PMCID: PMC1358000  PMID: 2774708

Abstract

We have recently reported the rapid appearance of bacteria and endotoxin in the blood of rats and of trauma patients in the course of 30 minutes to 2 hours of hemorrhagic shock. The current study was designed to determine the effect of this bacteremia and endotoxemia on survival. Thirty-three conventional (C:group 1) and 36 germ-free (GF:group 2) Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to our previously described model of treated hemorrhagic shock. Survival in the GF group was significantly better than the C group at 24, 48, and 72 hours after shock. Endotoxin levels were elevated in 88% of C group during shock and in 28% of GF group. The gut of the GF animal contains endotoxin (26 ng/gm of stool) as does the sterile food supply (393 ng/gm of rat chow).

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Selected References

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