The predisposition to infection following hemorrhagic shock.

Subsequent life threatening gram-negative infection in patients successfully resuscitated from hemorrhagic shock is becoming increasingly common. Following hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation, Sprague-Dawley rats were given Escherichia coli intraperitoneally to simulate the clinical setting in which peritoneal contamination and hypovolemic shock occur concurrently. A sublethal dosage of bacteria resulted in a 100 per cent mortality. This suggests that hemorrhagic shock, even when treated promptly and effectively, predisposes to infection.