The protective role of gastric acidity in neonatal bacterial translocation.
Publication/Presentation Date
7-1-1997
Abstract
The acid environment of the stomach serves as an important defense against intestinal colonization by potentially pathogenic bacteria. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of increased gastric pH on bacterial translocation in a neonatal rabbit model. Fifty-nine rabbit pups were delivered by cesarean section and randomly divided into normal acid (NA) and reduced acid (RA) groups. All were gavage fed and challenged with Enterobacter cloacae, 1 x 10(6) CFU/mL. The RA group received ranitidine, 20 mg/kg/d with all feeds. Gastric pH was measured by pH probe before and 4 hours after bacterial challenge. Mesenteric lymph node (MLN), spleen, liver, midjejunum, and cecum were harvested for culture at 72 hours. Gastric pH in the RA group was significantly increased before and 4 hours after the bacterial challenge. The incidence of bacterial translocation to the MLN, spleen, and liver was significantly higher in the RA group. Log cecal and jejunal colony counts were significantly increased in the RA animals. The authors conclude that the gastric acidity is protective against intestinal colonization and translocation of potentially pathogenic bacteria in this neonatal rabbit model.
Volume
32
Issue
7
First Page
1014
Last Page
1016
ISSN
0022-3468
Published In/Presented At
Dinsmore, J. E., Jackson, R. J., & Smith, S. D. (1997). The protective role of gastric acidity in neonatal bacterial translocation. Journal of pediatric surgery, 32(7), 1014–1016. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3468(97)90389-4
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics
PubMedID
9247224
Department(s)
Department of Pediatrics
Document Type
Article