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Suppurative Inflammation
Author(s) -
Trowbridge Henry O.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
australian endodontic newsletter
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.703
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1747-4477
pISSN - 0313-7384
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-4477.1997.tb00064.x
Subject(s) - bacteria , phagocytosis , autolysis (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , inflammation , proteases , chemistry , lactic acid , biochemistry , biology , enzyme , immunology , genetics
Suppurative inflammation involves the production of large amounts of pus. The generation of chemotaxins by bacteria results in a dense accumulation of neutrophils which undergo autolysis by their own lysosomal enzymes. Release of proteases and activated oxygen metabolites by neutrophils results in tissue destruction. Pyogenic bacteria are resistant to destruction either because they possess antiphagocytic properties or are able to kill neutrophils. For phagocytosis to occur, the bacteria must first be coated by opsonins, principally IgG and complement component C3b. Ingestion of bacteria stimulates the hexose monophosphate shunt, the end product of which is pyruvate. Pyruvate is converted to lactic acid which lowers the pH within the lesion. Drainage of pus reduces pressure and relieves pain, but suppuration continues until the causative agent has been eliminated.