Bacterial translocation in the newborn rabbit: effect of age on frequency of translocation

Sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates, and in a significant number of cases no predisposing factors can be identified. We hypothesize that bacterial translocation (BT) may be the etiology of neonatal sepsis when no source is identified. Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), spleen (SPL), and liver (LIV) were harvested from 36 rabbit pups ranging in age from 4 to 24 days and divided into three groups based on their age: group I, 4–6 days; group II, 13–15 days; and group III, 22–24 days. Tissues from each organ were homogenized and placed in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. After 48 h the number of colony-forming units/g tissue was identified. The total percentage of positive growth was significantly higher in group I for MLN (33%) and LIV (23%) when compared to groups II and III (<4% for both groups). Gram-negative growth (as selected by MacConkey [MC] media) was significantly higher in all tissue specimens from group I (MLN + 35%, SPL = 20%, LIV = 25%) compared to groups II and III (0% growth in all MC plates, P <0.01). These data support the hypothesis that spontaneous BT occurs with significant frequency in the neonate.