Abstract
In order to explore the pathogenesis and relative infrequency of OPSI, we developed an animal model to test the role of coincidental viral infection in producing transient immunosuppression and predisposing to fatal sepsis in animals later challenged with S.pneumoniae. The role of S.pneumoniae vaccine and partial splenectomy were also evaluated.
Sham(Sh), partial(PS) or total(TS) splenectomy were done on adult rabbits. Herpes simplex virus(HSV) infection was induced 3 weeks later; and 3 days after that a standard inoculum of type I S.pneumoniae was given I.V. As measured by serial lymphocyte blastogenesis, suppression was greater in virus-infected animals compared to matched controls(p<.01). Suppression tended to be greater in TS animals compared to Sh or PS(p<.10). Survival at 3 days for virus-infected animals was 46% vs. 67% for control animals(p<.15). However, only 25% of HSV-suppressed animals survived vs. 77% survival of non-suppressed animals(p<.005). Overall survival was 64%(Sh) and 60%(PS) vs.33%(TS) (p<06). Vaccination improved survival(68%vs.18%,p<.004). The only survivor with titer < 1:32 had Sh or PS; the only non-survivor with titer ≥1:32 had TS.
The data suggest that coincidental viral infection predisposes splenectomized animals to fatal sepsis, whereas residual splenic tissue or vaccination provides partial protection against OPSI.
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Dearth, J., Gilchrist, G., Telander, R. et al. 762 COINCIDENTAL VIRAL INFECTION IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF OVERWHELMING POST-SPLENECTOMY INFECTION(OPSI). Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 490 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00767
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00767
