Animal model for chronic-abscess-forming peritonitis: histology and microbiology.

Clinical experience gives evidence of the increasing importance of chronic-abscess-forming peritonitis with a general physical impairment in spite of a well-controlled abdominal situation. The number of unsolved problems led us to develop a standardized and reproducible experimental animal model, using Wistar rats. We induced peritonitis by intraperitoneal injection of a mixture containing a capsulated strain of Bacteroides fragilis and DEV agar. The histologic changes in the parietal and visceral peritoneum, lymphnodes and liver were recorded in the course of the disease. The data largely correlate with those recorded in human peritonitis. Bacteriologic examinations gave evidence of bacteria passing through the intestinal wall into the abdomen. This is the first model for peritonitis which is defined by its histological and bacteriological course. It enables one to examine pathophysiological problems and the consequences of harm and stress for the course of the disease.