The effect of colloidal solutions on bacterial translocation was studied. Sublethal hemorrhagic shock was established by blood withdrawal until the mean arterial pressure fell to 40 mmHg within 15 min on 36 adult Wistar Albino rats. Resuscitation was performed using four different solutions with the same amount of blood. Group I (n = 9) 0.9% NaCl, Group II (n = 9) 10% dextran 40, Group III (n = 9) 6% hydroxyethyl starch, Group IV (n = 9) 4% modified fluid gelatin. Before resuscitation and after anesthesia blood samples were drawn to analyze pH, PCO2, PO2, SaO2, HCO3 and ABE values. Twenty-four hours after anesthesia laparotomy was performed to obtain tissue samples of the liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. Samples were cultured on EMB and blood agar media. Results were analyzed with the one-way ANOVA and Post-hoc test (Tukey's HSD). The translocated bacteria were mainly Eschericia coli and three grew in Group I, two in Group II, three in Group III and six in Group IV. Although there was a trend in difference in bacterial translocation rates among groups, statistical analyses revealed no difference among groups (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that resuscitation with modified gelatin causes higher bacterial translocation in an experimental sublethal hemorrhagic shock model.