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Experimental acute respiratory Burkholderia pseudomallei infection in BALB/c mice
Author(s) -
Lever Mark S.,
Nelson Michelle,
Stagg Anthony J.,
Beedham Richard J.,
Simpson Andrew J. H.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of experimental pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.671
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1365-2613
pISSN - 0959-9673
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00619.x
Subject(s) - burkholderia pseudomallei , melioidosis , spleen , microbiology and biotechnology , lung , biology , burkholderia , respiratory system , immunology , necrosis , inflammation , kidney , bacteria , pathology , medicine , genetics , anatomy , endocrinology
Summary Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, which is considered a potential deliberate release agent. The objective of this study was to establish and characterise a relevant, acute respiratory Burkholderia pseudomallei infection in BALB/c mice. Mice were infected with 100 B. pseudomallei strain BRI bacteria by the aerosol route (approximately 20 median lethal doses). Bacterial counts within lung, liver, spleen, brain, kidney and blood over 5 days were determined and histopathological and immunocytochemical profiles were assessed. Bacterial numbers in the lungs reached approximately 10 8 cfu/ml at day 5 post‐infection. Bacterial numbers in other tissues were lower, reaching between 10 3 and 10 5 cfu/ml at day 4. Blood counts remained relatively constant at approximately 1.0 × 10 2 cfu/ml. Foci of acute inflammation and necrosis were seen within lungs, liver and spleen. These results suggest that the BALB/c mouse is highly susceptible to B. pseudomallei by the aerosol route and represents a relevant model system of acute human melioidosis.