Scintigraphic imaging with technetium-99M-labelled ceftizoxime is a reliable technique for the diagnosis of deep sternal wound infection in rats.

Purpose: To evaluate whether scintigraphy with technetium-99m-labeled ceftizoxime ((99m)Tc-CFT) can differentiate mediastinitis from aseptic inflammation associated with sternotomy.

Methods: Twenty female Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups: S (control) -partial upper median sternotomy with no treatment; SW (control) - sternotomy and treatment of sternal wounds with bone wax; SB - sternotomy and infection with Staphylococcus aureus; SWB - sternotomy with bone wax treatment and bacterial infection. Scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-CFT was performed eight days after surgery and images were collected 210 and 360 min after infusion of the radiopharmaceutical.

Morphologic and Functional Study of Heterotopic Splenic Tissue Allografts in Rabbits.

Objectives: To assess the viability and induction of immunotolerance of nonvascularized splenic alloimplants. The phagocytic functions of splenic implants also were studied.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-six adult female New Zealand and California rabbits were used, and these animals were divided into the following 5 groups: (n = 6 / groups 1-4) group 1 (sham operations); group 2 (total splenectomy); group 3 (implantation of autologous sliced splenic tissue in the greater omentum following splenectomy); group 4 (implantation of allogenic sliced splenic tissue in the greater omentum after splenectomy); and group 5 (n = 12) (implanting allogenic sliced splenic tissue in the greater omentum after splenectomy and receiving oral cyclosporine at a dosage of 40 mg/kg/d).

Efficacy of (99m)Tc-Labeled Ceftizoxime in the Diagnosis of Subclinical Infections Associated with Titanium Implants in Rats.

Background: Metal implants are used frequently in orthopedic procedures and the occurrence of subclinical low-virulence infection is difficult to diagnose. The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that peri-prosthetic subclinical infections may be diagnosed effectively in a murine model system using scintigraphic imaging with (99m)Tc-labeled ceftizoxime.

Methods: A sample population of 3-mo old Wistar rats (mean weight 327 g) was divided randomly into a control group (n=6), which received sterile implants, and an experimental group (n=6), which received implants contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus strain ATCC6538-P.

Scintigraphic study of the splenic circulation in rats.

Objective: To evaluate the splenic parenchymal blood distribution through scintigraphic study.

Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 5). Group 1 (spleen - 30 minutes) and Group 2 (spleen - 90 minutes) underwent laparotomy with direction of blood flow to the spleen by ligature of the aorta near the iliac bifurcation and splanchnic vessels, keeping blood flow only in the splenic artery; Group 3 (spleen and stomach - 30 minutes) and Group 4 (spleen and stomach - 90 minutes) underwent laparotomy with direction of blood flow to the spleen and stomach by ligature of the aorta near the iliac bifurcation and splanchnic vessels, maintaining the flow through the splenic, gastric and splenogastric vessels; Group 5 (control - 30 minutes) and Group 6 (control - 90 minutes) underwent laparotomy and ligation of the aorta near the iliac bifurcation, keeping the flow to the abdominal organs.

Effects of the povidone-iodine (PVPI) in treatment of bacterial peritonitis induced in rats.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the povidone-iodine (PVI) added to the liquid of wash of the peritoneal cavity in the reduction of bacterial absorption and in the remainder non-phagocyted bacteria in the circulating blood of rat.

Methods: Thirty four Wistar females rats were used, distributed in the following groups: A (n=10), non-treated; B (n=9), wash of the peritoneal cavity with solution of PVI to 1% in saline solution; C (n=15), wash of the cavity with saline solution. After anesthesia, it was made intraperitoneal infusion of solution of Escherichia coli labeled with 99mTc containing 10(8) CFU/ml.

Prevention of bacterial translocation using glutamine: a new strategy of investigation.

Objective: This study investigated the role of glutamine (Gln) on bacterial translocation in an intestinal obstruction model by using Escherichia coli labeled with technetium 99m (99mTc-E. coli).

Methods: Intestinal obstruction was performed by a single ligature of the terminal ileum in rats.