MECHANISMS OF THE ADJUVANT EFFECT OF HEMOGLOBIN IN EXPERIMENTAL PERITONITIS .4. THE ADJUVANT EFFECT OF HEMOGLOBIN IN GRANULOCYTOPENIC RATS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 89  (2) , 187-191
Abstract
I.p. inocula of pure Escherichia coli do not produce lethal peritonitis unless adjuvant materials are present. Evidence that Hb apparently acts as an adjuvant in experimental E. coli peritonitis by interfering with antibacterial neutrophil function was previously presented. The hypothesis was further tested in normal Sprague-Dawley rats and rats depleted of granulocytes by pretreatment with busulfan and cyclophosphamide. Hb increased the lethality of E. coli peritonitis in neutropenic and normal rats. The early clearance of bacteria from the peritoneal cavity was equally depressed by Hb in neutropenic and normal rats. Hb evidently has some effect on i.p. infections beyond its suppression of granulocyte function. This additional effect may represent interference with bacterial lymphatic absorption or peritoneal or systemic macrophage function or may be a manifestation of a nutritional effect of Hb on bacterial growth.