Effects of Wound Bacteria on Postburn Energy Metabolism

Abstract

This study examined the hypothesis that postburn hypermetabolism is initiated by bacteria and/or their products in the burn wound. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and core temperature (Tc) of rats were monitored before and after full-thickness, 30% total body surface burns. Wounds were seeded with non- virulent P. aeruginosa at the time of injury or allowed to colonize spontaneously. Seeding resulted in a reproducible, localized wound infection and a 20-40% increase in RMR for two weeks after injury. Unseeded rats experienced little or no change in RMR until the second postburn week. RMR and Tc were related, but burned nonbackteremic rats were frequently hypermetabolic without being febrile. Endotoxin released in the wound was not responsible for the increased RMR. Postburn hypermetabolism was unaffected by variations in wound inflammation, or changes in humoral or cell medicated immunity. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity was uncovered in the serum of burned rats, but there was no relationship between IL-1 level and RMR.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 29, 1990
Accession Number
ADA242721

Entities

People

  • Louis H. Aulick

Organizations

  • Marshall University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Bacteria
  • Biological Factors
  • Blood
  • Burns
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Chemistry
  • Hypermetabolism
  • Immunity
  • Infection
  • Inflammation
  • Molecular Weight
  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • Wound Infections
  • Wounds And Injuries

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Allergy and Immunology.
  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Trauma or Military Medicine