Reaction of rat embryonic tissues to mechanical injury and infection with Staphlococcus aureus (strain 209)

Abstract

Healing of skin wounds and the tissue reaction to intrauterine injection ofStaphylococcus aureus (strain 209) were studied in experiments on albino rat embryos. With a horizontal incision, an orthotonic position of the fetus and retraction of the skeletal muscles prevented contraction of the wound and epithelization of its surface. With a vertical incision the wound edges approximated and healing took place without the formation of granulation tissue by epithelization of the wound surface 2 days after the operation. The embryo responded to injection of the pathogenic staphylococcus by a uniform local reaction with predominance of degenerative changes and accumulation of histiocyte-like cells close to some of the colonies. No exudative inflammatory reaction was present either to trauma or to injection of the staphylococcus at all stages of intrauterine life.