Abstract | OBJECTIVES: MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Empyema was induced in rabbits using 10(9) Pasteurella multicoda organisms in infusion agar injected via a surgically placed chest tube. Once empyema was verified, a blinded investigator administered one of four treatments via the chest tube: 3 mL of saline solution; 4 mg of alteplase (recombinant tPA); 1 mg of rhDNase; or 4 mg of alteplase and 1 mg of rhDNase. The rabbits received a treatment every 12 h following the initial for a total of six treatments. The animals were killed at day 10, and the degree of empyema and pleural peel was scored macroscopically on a scale of 0 to 4. RESULTS: The combination group had a significantly lower mean empyema score (1.83 +/- 0.75) than did the saline solution group (3.86 +/- 0.38, p = 0.001), rhDNase group (3.17 +/- 0.75, p = 0.012), and alteplase group (3.71 +/- 0.49, p = 0.02) [+/- SD]. The total volume of pleural fluid was markedly higher in the alteplase and rhDNase combination group (142 +/- 79.1 mL) or the alteplase group (231 +/- 78.0 mL) compared to either the rhDNase group (0.8 +/- 1.6 mL) or the saline solution group (5.8 +/- 14.0 mL). CONCLUSION: The combination of alteplase and rhDNase is more effective in the treatment of rabbit empyema than either agent alone. The intrapleural injection of alteplase alone or in combination with rhDNase leads to the production of large amounts of pleural fluid.
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Authors | Zhiwen Zhu, Michael L Hawthorne, Yubiao Guo, Wonder Drake, Semra Bilaceroglu, Heather L Misra, Richard W Light |
Journal | Chest
(Chest)
Vol. 129
Issue 6
Pg. 1577-83
(Jun 2006)
ISSN: 0012-3692 [Print] United States |
PMID | 16778278
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Fibrinolytic Agents
- DNASE1 protein, human
- Deoxyribonuclease I
- Tissue Plasminogen Activator
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Topics |
- Animals
- Deoxyribonuclease I
(administration & dosage)
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Empyema, Pleural
(complications, drug therapy, pathology)
- Fibrinolytic Agents
(administration & dosage)
- Pleural Effusion
(etiology, pathology, prevention & control)
- Rabbits
- Tissue Plasminogen Activator
(administration & dosage)
- Treatment Outcome
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