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Experimental infection of rhesus macaques with Streptococcus pneumoniae : a possible model for vaccine assessment
Author(s) -
Philipp Mario T.,
Purcell Jeanette E.,
Martin Dale S.,
Buck Wayne R.,
Plauché Gail B.,
Ribka Erin P.,
DeNoel Philippe,
Hermand Philippe,
Leiva Lily E.,
Bagby Gregory J.,
Nelson Steve
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of medical primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1600-0684
pISSN - 0047-2565
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2006.00164.x
Subject(s) - bronchoalveolar lavage , streptococcus pneumoniae , immunogenicity , pneumonia , immunology , rhesus macaque , medicine , pneumococcal infections , disease , lung , biology , immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , antibiotics
Background We explored the possibility of using normal adult rhesus macaques for the preclinical assessment of safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of newly developed vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection of the lung. Methods Our primary objective was to determine whether an intra‐bronchial inoculum of at least 10 6 S. pneumoniae colony‐forming units, or one as high as 10 8 –10 9 organisms, could detectably survive in rhesus macaques for a period longer than 1–2 weeks. If so, we hypothesized, it would be possible to observe signs of pneumonia commonly observed in humans, and discriminate between vaccinated/protected animals and controls. Infection was detectable in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids 3–5 weeks post‐inoculation. Results The clinical course of disease mimicked aspects of that of human pneumococcal pneumonia. Signs of inflammation typical of the disease in humans, such as elevated concentrations of neutrophils and of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids were also observed. Conclusions These findings underscore the utility of this model to assess the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of newly developed S. pneumoniae vaccines.