Transmural Migration of Intestinal Bacteria During Peritoneal Irrigation in Uremic Dogs. ∗

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions

Repeated intraperitoneal infusion of the fluid used for peritoneal irrigation in uremic patients, administered aseptically to healthy rabbits and dogs for 11-16 days, produced a moderate leukocytic response, but the peritoneum remained free of bacteria or visible inflammatory reaction. In uremic dogs, however, bacterial contamination of the peritoneal fluid developed after the 4th day of irrigation. The micro-organisms found were E. coli alone or with A. aerogenes. Occasionally, several other species, normally found in the intestine, appeared; but Clostridia were never found. Preliminary oral administration of streptomycin and sulfathalidine prevented contamination of the peritoneal fluid. Blood cultures were uniformly sterile throughout the period of observation, It is concluded that irrigation of the peritoneal cavity of uremic dogs causes transmural migration of intestinal bacteria and that oral chemotherapy can prevent such contamination.