Detection of Leukocyte Activation in Pigs With Neurologic Decompression Sickness
Abstract
In a porcine model of neurological decompression sickness (DCS), perivascular leukocyte activation was a consistent finding in biopsies of associated cutaneous DCS. This prompted examination of other organs for similar changes; multifocal leukocyte activation was found in the lungs (pneumonitis) and liver (hepatitis). Hypothesis: DCS in pigs induces leukocyte aggregation and activation in the liver and lungs. Methods: Male Yorkshire swine, trained to run on a modified treadmill, were compressed to 200 ft of seawater (fsw) in a dry, air-filled compression chamber. Decompression varied according to the profile under study. Results: In 106 pigs, evidence for association of leukocyte aggregation and activation with the clinical diagnosis of neurologic DCS was sought. The incidence of pneumonitis (20/68, 29% with DCS; 4/38, 10% without DCS) and hepatitis (23/68, 33% with DCS; 4/38, 10% without DCS) were strongly correlated with the incidence of neurologic DCS via Pearson Chi-squared analysis (p = 0.026 pneumonitis and p 0.008 hepatitis).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA453847
Entities
People
- Edward J. Dick Jr.
- Paul A. Nyquist
- Thomas B. Buttolph
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center