Modulation of Mortality by Tissue Trauma and Sepsis in Mice after Radiation Injury
Abstract
The nuclear disasters at Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Chernobyl underscore the need for useful animal models to (a) evaluate the combined effects of radiation and tissue trauma and (b) develop successful therapeutic modalities for sepsis in irradiated individuals inflicted with tissue trauma. In mice, mortality subsequent to radiation and tissue trauma depends on the (a) timing of the trauma relative to radiation, (b) dose and quality of radiation, (c) nature of the inflicted trauma (burn or wound), (d) genetic makeup of the host, and (e) microbiologic agents associated with the host. Therapies for sepsis after wound trauma were developed in gamma ray- and neutron-irradiated mice. Single-agent therapy for infections with antimicrobials or immunomodulators is not as useful as combined modality therapy with antimicrobials and immunomodulators. Topical treatment of the injury with antimicrobials in addition to systemic therapy with antimicrobials or immunomodulators is necessary to effect survival. Sepsis in mice subsequent to neutron irradiation and wound trauma was more difficult to treat than sepsis after gamma ray exposure and wounding. The increased biological effectiveness of neutrons compared to gamma rays for radiosensitive tissues makes therapy for sepsis less successful in neutron-irradiated hosts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA253133
Entities
People
- G. David Ledney
- Marcus M. Moore
- Thomas B. Elliott
Organizations
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute