SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ORAL INFECTION IN MICE AS A FUNCTION OF POSTIRRADIATION TIME

摘要

Total body x-irradiation (300-350 r) resulted in increased susceptibility of mice to infections induced by the gastric instillation of Str. hemolyticus (group C), paracolon bacilli, S. typhimurium, and Esch. coli on the first, third, fourth, and fifth postirradiation days. No difference in mortality was observed if mice were challenged at later dates (between the sixth and twenty-fifth postirradiation days) or 1, 2, or 3 days prior to x-irradiation. Analysis of the data indicates that increased susceptibility to infection via the oral route following irradiation is dependent upon early damage to the gastrointestinal tract in conjunction with the depression of cellular and humeral defenses which develop at later postirradiation times.