ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effect of lethal Vibrio vulnificus infection on the blood system and the pathology changes of the major organs in mice, and to explore the possible mechanism of the related death. Methods: Lethal Vibrio vulnificus-infection model was established with mice. The model mice were divided into two groups: a control group and an infection group. ELISA was used to examine the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and TF. Serum total bilirubin (TBIL), creatinine (Cre), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were analyzed using automatic biochemical analyzer; whole blood cell analysis was also performed. The pathological changes of the heart, lung, liver, spleen, and kidney were observed under electron and light microscopes. Results: Compared with the control group, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and TF were significantly increased in mice after infection with Vibrio vulnificus (P < 0.05); the serum levels of BUN, Cre, TBIL, diastase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The ratios of WBC, platelet, and lymphocytes were all significantly decreased after infection compared with the control group (P<0.05). The ratios of red blood cells, monocytes, and Hb level were significantly increased compared with the control group (P<0.05). The pathological changes of major organs included hyperaemia, edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and apoptosis. Conclusion: Lethal infection with Vibrio vulnificus can initiate super-inflammation reaction in mice; it can also activate the blood coagulation system and induce systemic tissue injury, finally leading to death.