Experimental Bacterial Endocarditis in Altitude Rats II. Shortening Acclimatization Period

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Abstract
Sprague-Dawley rats (107) were exposed in a low pressure chamber 4 hrs. daily 0 to 30 days to a simulated altitude of 25,000 feet (barometric pressure 282 mm. Hg) and then given 8 daily intraven. injns. of Streptococcus mitis. Bacterial endocarditis was found in 8.7% of the rats acclimatized 30 days, but in only 44% if exposures were discontinued after the first injn. It was found in 17% of unexposed rats, and in 45% of those beginning exposures to altitude immediately before their first injn. Endocarditis was found in 11 of 15 altitude rats after one injn. of S. faecalis. Susceptibility to endocarditis varied with the mean hematocrit value. It is suggested that altitude rats be used for screening of methods for the treatment of bacterial endocarditis in man.

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