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Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 1997;76:F3-F8 doi:10.1136/fn.76.1.F3
  • Original article

Surfactant improves lung function and mitigates bacterial growth in immature ventilated rabbits with experimentally induced neonatal group B streptococcal pneumonia

  1. Egbert Hertinga,b,
  2. Bo Sunb,
  3. Connie Jarstrandc,
  4. Tore Curstedtd,
  5. Bengt Robertsonb
  1. aDepartment of Paediatrics, University of Göttingen, Germany, bDivision For Experimental Perinatal Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, cDepartment of Clinical Bacteriology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, dDepartment of Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska Institute, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
  1. Dr Egbert Herting, Department of Paediatrics, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch Str. 40, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany.
  • Accepted 19 September 1996

Abstract

Aims—To study the influence of surfactant on lung function and bacterial proliferation in immature newborn rabbits with experimental group B streptococcal (GBS) pneumonia.

METHODS Preterm rabbit fetuses (gest-ational age 28 days) underwent tracheotomy and were mechanically ventilated in a warmed body plethysmograph that permitted measurement of lung-thorax compliance. Fifteen minutes after the onset of ventilation the animals received either GBS or saline intratracheally; at 30 minutes, a bolus of saline or 200 mg/kg of a porcine surfactant (Curosurf) was administered via the airway. Bacterial proliferation was evaluated in lung homogenate at the end of the experiments and the results expressed as mean log10 cfu/g lung (SD). Animals receiving only saline (n=20) or saline and surfactant (n=20) served as controls.

RESULTS The average survival time was about three hours in all groups. Infected animals receiving surfactant (n = 22) had significantly less bacterial growth (9.09 (0.45) vs 9.76 (0.91)) and improved lung function (compliance: 0.61 (0.14)vs 0.34 (0.19) ml/kg . cm H2O) than infected rabbits receiving saline at 30 minutes (n = 22).

CONCLUSION Surfactant improves lung function and mitigates bacterial growth in preterm rabbits infected with group B streptococci.

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