THE IMPACT OF ACUTE INFECTION ON METABOLISM IN HUMAN SUBJECTS

Detailed metabolic balance studies were conducted in 76 volunteers during tularemia, sandfly fever, Q fever, or during investigations of variables pertinent to acute infection. With the onset of symptoms in each infection, the balance of nitrogen and other intracellular elements became negative; cumulative losses persisted long into convalescence. In contrast, an early period of nitrogen retention developed during mild illness and after the exposure of vaccinated subjects. This implied that both anabolic and catabolic changes were stimulated by infection, with catabolism generally predominant. Sodium and chloride were lost during early illness, but were then retained by the kidney in coincidence with an increase in aldosterone output. Anorexia and fever were important factors in producing catabolic changes, but adrenal glucocorticoid excess and antibiotic administration had little direct effect on metabolic balances. (Author) Presented at the Army Science Conference (1966), U. S. Military Academy, West Point, N. Y., 14-17 June 1966. Complete proceedings available in two unclassified volumes as AD-634 615 and AD-634 616 and one classified volume available to qualified DDC users.