Where does the lymph flow?

Abstract

To investigate the rapid seroconversion after injuries with retrovirus contaminated instruments and to assess the spread of the infection by venous and lymphatic pathways after different methods of inoculation. In the feline and canine models, subcutaneous, intralymphatic and intravenous injections of radioactive particles equal in size to retroviral bodies (100–200 nm) were performed. Blood and lymph samples were collected proximally to the inoculation site for 45 minutes and evaluated by gamma counting. Flow rates, particle arrival time, concentration, flux, accumulation, etc. were compared. After intralymphatic injection, particles arrived in venous samples within 4 seconds. After subcutaneous injection, arrival time in blood was 2.10 ± 0.46 minutes. Appearance in lymph, regardless of the method of injection was significantly longer. Lymph carried more particles at a slower speed, while blood transported smaller amounts at higher speeds. After subcutaneous inoculation, accumulation in lymph continued to rise for a prolonged time due to continuous release from the site of injection. There are extensive communications between the lymph and blood systems at the peripheral level, which are functional under physiological conditions and may provide the transport of particulate matter in both directions. This may explain the fast spread of inoculum by blood, even if initial entry occurred only into the lymphatic system.