Abstract
A rat model of chronic pulmonary infection (CPI) initiated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa embedded in agar beads was used to test the effect of ozone on lysosomal enzyme levels in alveolar macrophages (AM). CPI was induced by intratracheal instillation of a 0.1-ml suspension of infected beads into the left lung. Ten days after infection half the rats were exposed to atmospheres of air and half to 0.64 ppm ozone for 4 weeks. Enzyme levels were measured using a scanning cytospectrophotometer linked to PDP/11 computer. Measurement of lysozyme in individual rat AM in situ showed a significant decrease in cell size and enzyme content in ozone-exposed uninfected animals. Cell size and enzyme content of ozone-exposed animals with CPI were further reduced, suggesting a synergistic effect between ozone exposure and chronic infection.
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