Abstract
The nitrogen(N2) laser is used in our institute and country for treating tuberculous lung cavities and nonhealing wounds. Septicaemias and systemic bacterial infections being more important emergencies, data on the safety of intravenous (iv) nitrogen laser usage in the experimental animal model becomes a prerequisite for its trial in human subjects The test group of rabbits received iv nitrogen laser (power output = 2.5 mW ) through an intravenously-placed quartz fibre. After ten sittings of ten minutes each on alternate days, routine haematological parameters and histological studies on vital organs were carried out. Antibody response to typhoid vaccine, delayed hypersensitivity response to tuberculin antigen in BCG sensitized rabbits and the periodic complement levels were compared to the matched nonirradiated controls. Immunomodulatory response was not observed after iv laser irradiation. There was in addition no haematohistopathology and the iv nitrogen laser appeared to be a safe modality in the experimental rabbit model.
