Detection of intestinal bacterial translocation in subclinical ischemia-reperfusion using the polymerase chain reaction technique

Background/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the detection of bacterial translocation after subclinical ischemia reperfusion injuries in rats with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Methods: Six-week-old weaning rats were divided into 3 groups. (1) Experiment rats (n = 20) were gavaged with 10(10) Escherichia coli followed by superior mesentery artery occluded for 10 minutes, then reperfused for 30 minutes. (2) Control rats (n = 20) received bacterial gavage, (3) Group 3 were sham rats (n = 20). After the procedure, 3 mt of blood was obtained from the portal vein. The terminal ileum and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) near the terminal ileum were removed. E coli DNA was detected in blood and MLN samples by PCR, and histological changes were examined. Results: E coli DNA detection in ischemia-reperfusion (VR) group animals was 6 of 20 (30%) in the MLN and 2 of 20 (10%) in the blood. PCR was negative in all the rats in the control group and in the sham group (P <.05). There were no significant differences in the histological examination of rat intestines. Conclusion: These data suggest that subclinical intestinal I/R injury results in bacterial translocation, Also, PCR is a highly sensitive and rapid method to detect the presence of microbial DNA. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.