Background and methods: This study was undertaken to find out whether translocation of bacteria to the abdominal cavity and endotoxemia in rats with sterile peritonitis could be prevented by selective decontamination of the digestive tract. Sterile peritonitis was caused by the intraperitoneal injection of either 100, 150, 200, or 300 mg of zymosan suspended in paraffin.
Results: The frequency of infection of the abdominal cavity depended on the dose of zymosan given, ranging from 20% in rats receiving 100 mg to 89% in rats receiving 300 mg of zymosan. In rats not receiving antibiotics for selective decontamination of the digestive tract (the control group). Gram-negative bacilli were isolated from the digestive tract in all rats, and Gram-negative bacilli were isolated from the abdominal cavity in ten of 19 rats. In rats receiving antibiotics for selective decontamination of the digestive tract, Gram-negative bacilli were isolated from the digestive tract in none of the 14 rats, and likewise, Gram-negative bacilli were isolated from the abdominal cavity in none of the 14 rats (p < .005). Moreover, in rats receiving antibiotics for selective decontamination of the digestive tract, endotoxin levels in feces and plasma were significantly lower, as compared with rats not receiving antibiotics for selective decontamination of the digestive tract.
Conclusion: Selective decontamination of the digestive tract prevents translocation of Gram-negative bacilli to the abdominal cavity, and endotoxemia and mortality in rats with sterile peritonitis.