Effect of acute Yersinia enterocolitica infection on in vivo and in vitro small intestinal solute and fluid absorption in the rabbit.

The impact of acute Yersinia enterocolitica infection on jejunal and ileal solute and water transport was examined. New Zealand White rabbits (500-600 g) were infected with Y. enterocolitica and compared with unmanipulated controls and pair-fed controls. Transport studies were performed 6 days after infection on jejunum and ileum by an in vivo single-pass perfusion technique and in vitro under short-circuited conditions in Ussing chambers. When studied in vivo, Y. enterocolitica infection resulted in decreased water and electrolyte absorption in the jejunum under basal conditions and in both jejunum and ileum in the presence of glucose. Glucose absorption was also decreased in jejunum and ileum. When studied in vitro, net basal Na+ and Cl- transport was not altered in jejunal or ileal epithelium from infected animals. Glucose-stimulated Na+ absorption was decreased in ileal epithelium, and absorption of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose was decreased in both jejunum and ileum. Secretory capacity of Cl-, as assessed by isobutylmethyl xanthine stimulation, was unimpaired in both jejunum and ileum. Decreased food intake alone, in the pair-fed animals, had little effect on intestinal transport. The results indicate that malabsorption, rather than active intestinal secretion, is the major small intestinal transport defect in acute Y. enterocolitica infection. Furthermore, the abnormalities can be directly attributed to injury induced by the organism itself, rather than malnutrition.