Alterations of Body Fluid Compartments and Distribution of Tissue Water and Electrolytes in Monkeys during Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Abstract
Chair-restrained rhesus monkeys were inoculated subcutaneously with 100 to 1000 plaque forming units of virulent Rickettsia rickettsii. The latent period for fever and rickettsemia was found to be 3-4 days and death occurred within 6-8 days postinfection. Total circulatory electrolytes and fluid volumes including plasma, red blood cell, true circulatory blood, and extracellular fluid increased during Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The expansion of the extracellular and plasma volumes resembled the findings reported to occur during severe RMSF infections in man, guinea pigs and rabbits. Liver total water content also increased. Intracellular K(+), as well as total Na(+) and K(+) decreased in the diaphragm. Both the lung and medulla oblongata showed increased intracellular Na(+) and water with simultaneously decreased extracellular Na(+) and water. It is suggested that intracellular overhydration of the medulla oblongata may contribute to death as a result of depression of the cardiovascular and respiratory centers. Based on the findings in monkeys the intravenous infusion of fluids and electrolytes during clinical therapy of severe rickettsial infections should be considered as extremely dangerous. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 23, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA044996
Entities
People
- C. E. Pedersen Jr.
- C. L. Hadick Jr
- C. T. Liu
- D. E. Hilmas
- M. J. Griffin
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases