Abstract
To clarify the role of the macrophage in the translocation of intestinal bacteria, groups (n = 10) of Swiss Webster mice (immunocompetent) and C3H/HeJ mice (macrophage defective) were given bacitracin/streptomycin in their drinking water to eliminate the majority of the intestinal microflora. These mice were then “monoassociated” with a streptomycin-resistant strain of Escherichia coli. Forty-eight hours later, E coli was present in all animals at a concentration of 1011/g of cecum. In four separate experiments, E coli was recovered from 100% of the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of the immunocompetent Swiss Webster mice and from 10%, 40%, 30%, and 50% of the MLNs of macrophage-defective C3H/HeJ mice. Swiss Webster mice were then similarly monoassociated by antibiotic decontamination followed by administration of antibiotic-resistant, fluorescein-labeled E coli in their drinking water; cohort groups of mice were given fluorescein-labeled latex beads (1 μm in diameter) in their drinking water. Two, four, and 11 days later, the MLNs were removed and single cell suspensions were analyzed in the fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The fluorescein label was detected exclusively in the macrophage (esterase-positive) population. These results support the hypothesis that intestinal macrophages may play a key role in the transport of intestinal particles (including bacteria) into extra-intestinal sites.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 48-53 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Archives of Surgery |
Volume | 122 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1987 |
Bibliographical note
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