Changes in the rate of haemolysis during the early stage after burns in the rabbit.

The kinetics of erythrocyte haemolysis in blood samples taken from normal and burned rabbits were investigated by nephelometry. The rate of haemolysis decreased significantly from 30 min to 2 h after severe burns, when many abnormal red cell forms were found in blood films; there was also an increase in osmotic fragility. The results confirm that the rate of haemolysis is strongly related to structural changes of the red cell membrane but do not parallel osmotic fragility. Differences in haemolysis rate and osmotic fragility between erythrocytes taken from burned animals and those heated in vitro suggest that erythrocyte changes following burning injury involve complex kinetic processes in which factors other than the direct effect of heat play important roles.