[Effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on transport of protein and liquid from alveolar spaces in anesthetized rabbits].

We determined the effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on transport of protein and liquid across the alveolar epithelium in anesthetized rabbits. Following the injection of 3 microCi of 131I-albumin in anesthetized rabbits as a vascular marker, we instilled 3 ml/kg of 5% albumin solution with 10(7) or 10(9) CFU P. aeruginosa, 3 microCi of 125I-albumin and 3 mg of Evans blue into the alveolar spaces of the right lung. The rabbits were ventilated with 60-100% oxygen and 1-2% halothane over 8 h. We removed the lungs and aspirated the alveolar fluid 8 h after instillation. We measured protein concentration in instilled and aspirated alveolar fluid, and radioisotope counts in alveolar fluid, homogenized lung and plasma. Then we calculated the influx and efflux of radioisotope across the alveolar epithelium. Liquid clearance from the alveolar spaces and the lungs was calculated using protein concentration of alveolar fluid and extravascular lung water. In the experiments with 10(9) CFU P. aeruginosa, we found that 125I-albumin remaining in the lungs decreased and 125I-albumin in plasma increased. Lung liquid clearance decreased by 15%. However, protein and liquid clearance in the experiments with 10(7) CFU P. aeruginosa or autologous serum were not different from those in the control experiments. P. aeruginosa was cultural from blood, right pleural effusion, and liver in the experiments with 10(9) CFU P. aeruginosa, but not in the experiments with the alveolar epithelium, but decreases clearance of liquid from the alveolar spaces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)