BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that obstructive jaundice provokes depression of the immunologic system, changes the pattern of intestinal bacterial colonization and possibly permits bacterial translocation lumen to the portal and systemic circulations. An experimental study performed done in rats to assess the incidence of enteric bacteria translocation to the lungs after choledocus closure. METHOD: Twenty Wistar male rats weighing 178 to 215g were randomly assigned to 2 groups. In group I, (n=10) it the choledocus was tied with 0000 silk suture and in group II the choledocus was manipulated with atraumatic instrument (sham operation). In the 7th day the animals were killed with anesthetic overdose, blood sample was colected for bilirrubin dosage and the lungs were ressected under aseptic conditions. Half of each lung was homogenized and cultured in agar McConkey and agar blood. The other half was processed by conventional histologic methods. The sections were cut and stained by Gram, haematoxilin and eosin and examined with light microscopy. Data were analyzed by t test (p <0,05). RESULTS: Mean total bilirrubin was 18,7±3,6 and 0,7±0,2 in groups I and II, respectively (p<0,05). Colonies of Klebsiela sp were isolated in the lungs of 30% and E. coli in 20% of group I, and histopathological scores presented an average of 6.2±2.08. No bacteria was detected in the lungs of group II and the scores histopathological reached 1,8±1,16 (p <0,05). CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive resulting jaundice in rats promotes translocation of Gram negative bacteria to the lungs, resulting in significant histopatologic alterations.
Bacterial translocation; Lungs; Obstructive jaundice
