ACUTE INFLAMMATION IN THE RENAL CORTEX AND MEDULLA FOLLOWING THERMAL INJURY

As determined by serial histologic study, the leukocyte component of the acute inflammatory response to thermal injury in the medulla of the kidney of rabbits was markedly delayed and diminished in intensity when compared with the response of the cortex. Similar differences in granulocyte mobilization between cortex and medulla were seen following the inoculation of bacteria. Hydronephrosis produced by ureteral ligation had no discernible effect upon the inflammatory response in either cortex or medulla following thermal burns. The susceptibility of the cortex to E. coli infection was markedly enhanced during leukopenia induced by nitrogen-mustard. These results suggest that deficiencies in granulocyte mobilization play an important role in the increased susceptibility of the renal medulla to bacterial infection.