Quantitative bacteriological study of gunshot wound in the limbs of dogs in hot and humid environment

doi:10.3321/j.issn:1673-4254.2001.01.003

Abstract：Objective To investigate the changes in the quantity of bacteriaand the time of infection occurrence in the tract of the wound under the condition of high environmental temperature and humidity. Method Canine models with gunshot wound in the limbs were established, and those subjected to high environmental temperature and humidity were assigned to hot and humid environment (HHE) group, while those kept in normal environmental condition were designated normal environment (NE) group. General observation and quantitative bacterial analysis were performed at 0, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h after the injury respectively. Results The dogs in HHE group suffered more severe swelling and necrosis of the tissues around the wound and sustained for a shorter period in comparison with the dogs in NE group. Bacterial quantification at the wound showed that the dogs in HHE group had higher count of bacteria than those in NE group did at the same time points after the injury, and the difference tended to increase with the time. Within 8 h, the bacteria reached the critical points for clinical infection in HHE group, which took 12 h in HE group. Conclusion Bacterial proliferation is accelerated under hot and humid condition to result in earlier and more serious occurrence of infection, suggesting that gunshot wound in hot and humid environment necessitates early and complete debridement.