Open AccessRole of the spleen in B artonella spp. infection
Author(s) -
Deng Hong Kuan,
Rhun Danielle,
Lecuelle Benoit,
Naour Evelyne,
VayssierTaussat Muriel
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2011.00908.x
Subject(s) - bartonella , spleen , biology , lymph , cat scratch disease , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , bacillary angiomatosis , bartonella henselae , virology , immunology , pathology , medicine , antibody , serology , disease , genetics
B artonella spp. are intra‐erythrocytic pathogens of mammals. In this study, we investigated the role of the spleen, and other tissue and organs in B artonella infection. Using an in vivo model of mice infection by B artonella birtlesii , we detected accumulation of bacteria in the spleen, with transient infection of the liver, but failed to detect any bacteria in brain or lymph nodes. We then compared bacteraemia in normal B alb/ C mice and in splenectomized mice. Bacteraemia in splenectomized mice was 10‐fold higher than in normal mice and lasted 2 weeks longer. In conclusion, the spleen seems to retain and filter infected erythrocytes rather than to be a sanctuary for chronic B artonella infection.