Staphylococcus epidermidis sepsis induces hypercoagulability in preterm pigs

Anne Kirstine Havnsøe Krogh*, Anders Brunse, Thomas Thymann, Louise Bochsen, Annemarie T. Kristensen

*Corresponding author for this work

    Abstract

    Gram positive bacteria are a cause of sepsis in human preterm infants, and associates with high mortality and hemostatic dysfunction. It is unknown whether bovine colostrum may protect against sepsis and prevent hemostatic dysfunction. The current study was part of an overall sepsis study investigating Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) induced sepsis in premature pigs including investigation of the effect of feeding bovine colostrum. The specific hypothesis of this study was that the hemostatic response would be hypercoagulable in septic pigs compared to non-infected controls, and that feeding bovine colostrum would increase the hypercoagulant response. Thromboelastography, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and fibrinogen concentration were characterized in SE infected pigs, SE infected pigs fed bovine colostrum, and uninfected controls. All pigs were followed for 24 h. In addition, the same parameters were evaluated in a group of premature pigs and a group of full born pigs all followed for 11 days. SE septic premature pigs were characterized by increased clot strength and decreased fibrinolysis, significantly low platelet count and high fibrinogen concentration. Feeding bovine colostrum did not affect the hemostatic response. Compared to full born pigs, preterm newborn pigs demonstrated reduced clot strength, prolonged prothrombin time and low fibrinogen concentration. In all pigs, the fibrinogen concentration increased 11 days post-partum. To conclude, SE induced sepsis in premature pigs resulted in hypercoagulability. Bovine colostrum did not mitigate the hemostatic response. A hypocoagulable hemostatic response was present in healthy preterm pigs compared to full born pigs, similar to previous reports in infants.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalResearch in Veterinary Science
    Volume127
    Pages (from-to)122-129
    Number of pages8
    ISSN0034-5288
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019

    Keywords

    • Gestational age
    • Hemostasis
    • Pig
    • Preterm animal model
    • Sepsis
    • Thromboelastography

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Staphylococcus epidermidis sepsis induces hypercoagulability in preterm pigs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this