Original Contribution EXPERIMENTAL PLEURAL EMPYEMA IN RABBITS – CELLULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES

Pleural empyema remains a significant medical problem today because of its significant morbidity, prolonged hospitalisation, and increased risk of death. The aim of this research was to share our experience in creating an animal model of pleural empyema. The model of pleural empyema appears suitable for studies on the different methods used in the treatment of empyema and in the investigation of the changes in pleural effusion. A group of nine New Zealand white rabbits, each weighing 2.5 to 3 kg, was used for the study. We produced a sterile pleural effusion and injected the Streptococcus pneumoniae into it. We then measured the glucose level below to 2.2 mmol/l and LDH value up to 1000UI/L. These values are typical for complicated parapneumonic effusions and pleural empyema in human. Pleural fluid WBC counts and different cell count, which we established, are also similar to those obtained in the human empyema. This model therefore mimics the course of parapneumonic effusions and empyema that occur in human, and is suitable for studies on the different methods used for the treatment of empyema.