muramidase and Uterine-Diseases

To investigate whether a combination of hysterectomy and antibiotic treatment leads to an improvement of altered haematological and immunological parameters in bitches affected by pyometra.. Blood samples obtained from 13 bitches affected by pyometra were investigated before hysterectomy and seven days later for a total and differential leucocyte count, activity of neutrophils and lymphocytes, and quantification of total serum immunoglobulins, lysozyme and circulating immune complexes.. The parameters most affected included changes in blood profile (leucocytosis because of neutrophilia or leucopenia) and inhibition of lymphocyte activity. Seven days after hysterectomy, all affected parameters returned to normal levels comparable to clinically healthy dogs.. Application of immunostimulating therapy is not necessary to manage changes in blood cell counts and suppression of lymphocyte activity in bitches with pyometra. Removal of the infected uterus, being the source of infection, leads to improvement.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antigen-Antibody Complex; Blood Chemical Analysis; Combined Modality Therapy; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Hysterectomy; Immunoglobulins; Leukocyte Count; Muramidase; Uterine Diseases

The function of the immune system was studied in 34 bitches affected by pyometra. The mean age of the animals was 8.1 +/- 2.8 years. Samples of peripheral blood were examined using a battery of immunological tests. Data obtained from four sets of animals, grouped according to the severity of their disease, were compared. Leucocytosis (neutrophilia and partial monocytosis) and lymphopenia were detected in 62 per cent and 35 per cent of the bitches, respectively. The increase in the number of leucocytes was higher in the severely affected bitches. Inhibition of mitogen-driven lymphocyte proliferation was the characteristic feature of the immunological profile in bitches affected by pyometra, and this corresponded with the impairment of the general state of health. Sera from bitches showing functional inhibition of lymphocytes suppressed the activity of lymphocytes isolated from normal dogs. Sera from bitches affected by pyometra also had higher levels of immunoglobulins, lysozyme and circulating immune complexes. It can be concluded that pyometra is associated with an inflammatory response, but also with a marked suppression of immune system activity.

Topics: Animals; Antigen-Antibody Complex; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Immune Tolerance; Immunocompromised Host; Immunoglobulins; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocyte Activation; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Suppuration; Uterine Diseases

Topics: Adult; Chymotrypsin; Drug Combinations; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Muramidase; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Trypsin; Uterine Diseases

The roles of uterine inflammation and infection in creating an environment hostile to fertilized eggs or spermatozoa which would explain the contraceptive action of IUDs were investigated in the rat, rabbit, and mouse. Inflammation, as evidenced by the appearance of polymorphonuclear leucocytes, was always present along with a foreign body, and inflamed areas corresponded to regions of known infertility: the entire length of the horn containing the foreign body in the rat uterus, the corresponding horn as well as part of the control horn in the mouse, and only the tissue in contact with the foreign body in the rabbit. Acute inflammatory response (polymorphonuclear stage) persisted indefinitely after insertion of the IUD. Lysozyme measurements in rat and rabbit uteri indicated that polymorphonuclear leucocytes released their contents into the lumen in infertile regions. Cultured rat uteri containing foreign bodies were found to contain over 100 million bacteria of mixed species (compared to none in controls), while rabbit uteri appeared bacteria free. The effects of inflammation were separable from those of infection, however, with the use of germ-free rats. The presence of a foreign body in these rats was associated with a very localized inflammation, with lysozyme only in the segment in contact with the foreign body. Fertilized eggs entered and implanted in the noninflamed region when the foreign body was in the cervical end of the horn; when it was in the ovarian end, all ova were killed, indicating that the antifertility effect of the IUD was possible in absence of bacteria. It is concluded that some component of the polymorphonuclear leucocyte may kill fertilized eggs and thus be responsible for the infertility of uteri containing IUDs.

Topics: Animals; Female; Germ-Free Life; Inflammation; Intrauterine Devices; Leukocytes; Mice; Muramidase; Pregnancy; Rabbits; Rats; Uterine Diseases; Uterus

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cellulitis; Female; Humans; Immunotherapy; Muramidase; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Peritonitis; Pregnancy; Puerperal Infection; Sepsis; Sulfonamides; Uterine Diseases