Abstract
Nedzel and Arnold 1 report experimental evidence that massive absorption of viable bacteria may take place from the normal canine intestinal contents into the blood stream, an appreciable “cyclic circulation” of their test bacteria (B. prodigiosus) to and from certain mucous cavities. They report that this normal “circulation” is increased as a result of the local action of egg-white.
In attempting to confirm their experimental data, we have been forced to the conclusion that while massive duodenal absorption of their test microorganisms may occasionally take place through the presumably normal intestinal mucosa, in approximately 90% of all normal dogs thus far tested by us, the intestinal absorption was much less rapid than their data would indicate. In our hands only an occasional femoral blood sample showed one or more viable microorganisms per cubic centimeter. (Table I.)
Counts approaching their femoral artery data, however, were obtained from periodic or continuous blood samples withdrawn from the portal vein. (Dogs 11 to 14, Table II.) These samples were obtained by means of a glass cannula inserted into one of the portal collaterals. No very material increase in this normal portal count was observed, however, by substituting egg-white for Ringer's solution in the injection mass (Dogs 15 to 18, Table II).
We have made a few introductory tests of the effects of certain local pathological conditions on the normal duodenal absorption rate. Much to our surprise, slight mechanical abrasions to the duodenal mucosa did not increase the usual portal count, nor were uniform changes in absorption rate produced by previous sensitization or immunization with B. prodigiosus or its autolysate. Work on the effects of specific immunization, however, is being continued.
A marked increase in normal duodenal absorption was noted, however, as a result of local passive congestion (mechanical obstruction of portal vein).
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