A Study of Infections in Irradiated Patients (U); Annual Progress Report (For the period 1 July 1972 to July 31, 1973)

47 pages. Tables. Figures. References Cited. Appendix A, B, and C. Distribution List. D.D. Form 1473. Ex-library with usual library markings. Distribution was limited to U. S. Government agencies only. This limitation is believed to have been overtaken by time. The author was subsequently associated with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A Variety of analyses were done on eight patients receiving total-body irradiation. Three patients were exposed to 150 R (1.5 R/min) in the METBI facility; two patients were exposed to 150 R and one to 250 R (1.5 R/hr) in the LETBI facility; two patients wee studies while in an ultra-clean environment after exposure to 500 R ad 694 R respectively in the UT-AEC Variable Dose Rat Irradiation (VDRI). The ability of phagocytes from TBI patients (150-250 F) to ingest and destroy both Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus was analyzed. Samples from patients who prior to TBI had greatly elevated numbers of neutrophils were analyzed by adding bacteria to either undiluted blood or blood diluted to approximately neutrophil levels comparable to normal blood. These data show that on a per cell based there was no impairment after TBI. The only diminution of bactericidal potency of blood from TBI patients was associated with the reduction in total number of neutrophils per mm3 of blood. Loss of salivary protein synthesis was another consistent effect of high dose irradiations (500 R or more). Pathogenic bacteria in low numbers were cultured from some body sites at various times during the patient's confinement, but at no time was the patient considered seriously threatened by infection. Defense Technical Information Center produced copy.…