Experimental Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia in a primate model: evidence that Bacteroides fragilis does not promote the septic shock syndrome.

Experimental Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia was studied in subhuman primates. Following intravenous infusion of viable B. fragilis there was an exponential clearance of organisms from the bloodstream. The major clearance organ was the liver, which accumulated 68.2% of the total inoculum. The most efficient clearance was exhibited by the spleen, with uptake of 1.16% gm tissue. Hemodynamic studies revealed no significant changes in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, or cardiac output following B. fragilis infusion. Complement activity as measured by CH50, alternative pathway hemolytic activity, granulocyte aggregometry, C4, C3, properdin, and Factor B levels were similarly unaffected by infusion of B. fragilis. In contrast, profound hemodynamic changes and a consistent decrease in complement activity was noted after challenge with S. minnesota. The results of this study suggest that B. fragilis bacteremia has a minor role in producing the acute hemodynamic changes associated with the septic shock syndrome.