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EFFECT OF EXPOSURE TO PAN AND OZONE ON SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CHRONIC BACTERIAL INFECTION
Citation:
Thomas, G., J. Fenters, AND R. Ehrlich. EFFECT OF EXPOSURE TO PAN AND OZONE ON SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CHRONIC BACTERIAL INFECTION. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/1-79/001.
Description:
The effects of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and ozone (O3) on susceptibility of mice and guinea pigs to chronic and acute respiratory infections were studied. The agent used for the acute infectious disease was Streptococcus sp. whereas Mycobacterium tuberculosis served as the agent for chronic respiratory infection. A significant increase in mortality due to streptococcal pneumonia was seen upon a single 3-hr exposure to PAN in concentrations ranging from 14.8 to 28.4 mg/cu m 3. Multiple daily exposures to 4.9 or 7.4 mg/cu m 3 PAN 3 hr/day, 5 days/week for up to 3 weeks had no effect on mortality, survival rates, or ability to clear inhaled Streptococcus sp. from the lungs. Daily 3-hr exposures to 25.0 mg/cu m 3 PAN did not produce any marked changes in the chronic infection as measured by M. tuberculosis titers in the lungs. The diameter of erythemas, expressing the cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reaction were persistently smaller in guinea pigs exposed to PAN than those exposed to air. Multiple exposures to 19.8 mg/cu m 3 PAN resulted in initial elevation of antibody titers, but depression of titers during the later (12 to 15 week) observation period. A single exposure to the same concentration of PAN resulted in a significant increase in total number of cells lavaged from their lungs but somewhat decreased levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Exposure to 7.4 mg/cu m 3 PAN 3 hr/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks resulted in reduced total cell counts and a significant reduction of ATP levels in alveolar macrophages.