E. coli is the main bacteria isolated from infected uterus and bacterial endotoxin can lead to fatal endotoxic shock. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) precedes the endotoxic shock. Thus, early recognition of SIRS is important for patient treatment and prognostic. In Brazil, Gram positive bacteria are responsible for approximately 20% of all pyometra cases, and there is limited information about pathophysiology of shock and tissue injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the capacity of Gram positive bacteria to cause SIRS in bitches with pyometra. A prospective follow-up of 67 bitches with pyometra was performed, which were classified as SIRS + and SIRS-on admission. All bitches were surgically treated (ovariohysterectomy), uterine contents were collected in a sterile manner and the material was submitted to microbiological evaluation. Were identified in 55.2% of bitches E. coli (G1), 23.9% other Gram negative bacteria (G2) and 20.9% Gram positive bacteria (G3). The leukocyte profile, serum biochemistry and prevalence of SIRS were similar between the groups. It is concluded that Gram positive bacteria have the capacity to promote tissue damage and can lead the patient to death after SIRS and shock, as well as by E. coli and other Gram negative. Key words: Bacteria etiology. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia. SIRS.
ResumoA Escherichia coli é reportada como principal agente etiológico da piometra canina e as endotoxinas bacterianas podem desencadear choque endotóxico e óbito. A síndrome da resposta inflamatória sistêmica (SIRS) antecede o choque e sua identificação pode predizer o prognóstico do paciente. No Brasil, bactérias Gram positivas são responsáveis por aproximadamente 20% dos casos de piometra, e informações a respeito da fisiopatologia do choque ou da lesão tecidual nesses casos são escassos. Assim, o objetivo foi investigar a capacidade de bactérias Gram positivas desencadear SIRS em cadelas com piometra. Foram acompanhadas de maneira prospectiva 67 cadelas com piometra, que na admissão passaram por exame clínico, exames laboratoriais e foram classificadas como SIRS+ e SIRS-. Todos os animais foram tratados cirurgicamente (ovariohisterectomia), o conteúdo uterino foi coletado de forma estéril e o material foi submetido à avaliação microbiológica. Em 55,2% das cadelas foi identificada E. coli (G1), 23,9% outras bactérias Gram negativas (G2) e 20,9% Gram positivas (G3). O perfil leucocitário, a bioquímica sérica e a prevalência de SIRS foram semelhantes entre os grupos. Conclui-se