Bacterial translocation in obstructive jaundice and in choledochovesical fistula model in rats

Bacterial translocation and endotoxaemia have been demonstrated in experimental studies and in patients with obstructive jaundice. The current experiments were performed to determine whether it was the absence of intestinal bile or the presence of biliary obstruction that promoted bacterial translocation. Three groups of rats were studied: non-operated controls [n = 10], common bile duct-ligated group [n = 10] and common bile duct-diverted group [n = 10]. Seven days later, at death the incidence of bacterial translocation was higher in common bile duct-ligated group [45%] or diverted group [34%] than in the control group [4%], [P<0.05]. Histologic sections of the ileums of ligated and diverted animals both showed subepithelial oedema. The liver showed changes in ligated and not in diverted group. These findings suggest that absence of bile in the intestine is an important factor that promotes bacterial translocation