Bacteriological evaluations of swine exposed to lethal levels of gamma radiation

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · J. Anim. Sci., v. 37, no. 1, pp. 27-32

OSTI ID:4344757

Eisele, G R; West, J L

Bacteriological studies were conducted on swine exposed to a total air dose of 700 R at a rate of 1 R or 45 R/min of gamma radiation. Blood, muscle, liver, and mesenteric lymph nodes were cultured 10 days postirradiation and muscle again 5 days postslaughter during which time the carcasses had hung in a cooler. A bacteremic state was not detected in the 1 R/min group was there a greater incidence of bacterial isolates from the irradiated carcasses. All animals exposed to 45 R/min developed a bacteremia at least once during the 10- day postirradiation period, but this bacteremia was not consistent within the group. Bacterial isolates from the muscles of irradiated animals at slaughter and 5 days later were consistently higher than isolates from controls. Pathologic changes observed in the tissues at slaughter were similar in both groups of animals but were more extensive in the swine exposed to 45 R/minute. Lesions seen were hemorrhagic in nature and indicated injury to the circulatory system. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Tennessee, Oak Ridge
• NSA Number: NSA-29-018636
• OSTI ID: 4344757
• Journal Information: J. Anim. Sci., v. 37, no. 1, pp. 27-32, Journal Name: J. Anim. Sci., v. 37, no. 1, pp. 27-32; ISSN JANSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*BACTERIA-- INFECTIVITY
*BLOOD-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*LIVER-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*LYMPH NODES-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*MUSCLES-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
GAMMA RADIATION
LETHAL RADIATION DOSE
N48520* --Life Sciences--Radiation Effects on Animals-- Vertebrates
PATHOLOGY
PHOTON BEAMS
RADIATION DOSES
SWINE