1811 EFFECT OF GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS (GBS) ON PULMONARY VASCULAR PERMEABILITY

The effect of GBS sepsis on pulmonary vascular permeability has not been well-defined. To study this phenomenon, the left lower lobes of canine lungs were removed and cannulated for perfusion with heparinized autologous blood, in the presence of zone III airway pressures. Two indices of permeability, filtration coefficient (Kf) and isogravimetric capillary pressure (Pci), as well as pulmonary vascular resistance (R), were determined in a baseline period and 1, 2, and 3 hours after the infusion of heatkilled GBS (109 cells/ml of blood). Values for Kf (gm/min/cmH2O/ 100gm lung) at each time period in GBS-infused (Group I) and control (Group II) lobes are listed below.