Effect of Parenteral Injection of Particulate Matter on Resistance of X-Irradiated Mice to Infection

Abstract

Increased survival of midlethally irradiated mice, receiving a parenteral injection of particulate matter may be largely accounted for by a reduction in the incidence of Proteus and Escherichia coli infection, with no reduction in Pseudomonas infection. Resistance to Proteus or Pseudomonas challenge was increased 5-12 days after sublethal irradiation in mice injected intraperitoneally or subcutaneously with particles of glass (<74 [mu]). The circulating granulocyte count was not higher in particulate treated, irradiated mice than in their controls not injected with glass. Antibodies formed prior to sublethal irradiation did not enhance the effect of injected particulate matter on survival of challenged mice.