THE EFFECT OF CORTICOSTEROIDS ON SUBCUTANEOUS ABSCESS FORMATION IN THE MOUSE

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 62  (3) , 222-226
Abstract
A model for s.c. abscess formation was used to study the effect of corticosteroids on abscess formation in mice. Mice were given daily i.p. injections of hydrocortisone, 20 mg/kg per day or dexamethasone, 0.8 mg/kg per day, starting 3 days before inoculation with Staphylococcus aureus and continuing for the duration of the experiment. Another group of mice was given a single injection of dexamethasone, 8 mg/kg, 1 h after inoculation with S. aureus. Encapsulated abscesses developed in all animals by day 4, and there was no mortality. Abscess volume .+-. SE mean at 4 days was reduced (P < 0.0005) from 39.9 .+-. 3.0 mm3 in controls to 16.7 .+-. 3.6 mm3 in the daily dexamethasone group. Abscess volume at 4 days after a single dose of dexamethasone was 39.9 .+-. 8.0 mm3. Bacterial concentrations/ml of pus were equivalent in all groups (1010.6-1010.9). The effect of steroids on formation of sterile abscesses was studied. Abscess volumes were smaller in animals given daily hydrocortisone or dexamethasone when compared to controls, but the difference was significant only for mice receiving daily hydrocortisone. Prolonged high-dose steroid administration decreased the magnitude of the acute inflammatory reaction responsible for abscess formation in the soft tissue but did not interfere significantly with the process of containment and encapsulation of s.c. abscesses. A single massive dose of steroid did not influence abscess formation.