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Examination of Host Phenotypes in Gambusia affinis Following Antibiotic Treatment
09:25

Examination of Host Phenotypes in Gambusia affinis Following Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: February 22, 2017

Pre-existing bacterial infections, not stress fever, influenced previous studies which labeled Gerrhosaurus major an

A E Muchlinski1, R Gramajo, C Garcia

  • 1Department of Biology and Microbiology, California State University, Los Angeles 90032, USA. amuchli@calstatela.edu

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
|February 9, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Sudan plated lizards, Gerrhosaurus major, do exhibit a febrile response, contrary to early beliefs. Antibiotic treatment revealed pre-existing infections caused elevated temperatures, indicating a fever response in this lizard species.

Area of Science:

  • Herpetology
  • Animal Physiology
  • Infectious Disease

Background:

  • Early studies suggested Gerrhosaurus major lacked a febrile response to pyrogens.
  • Recent findings indicated antibiotic treatment lowered mean selected body temperature (MSBT), implying pre-existing infections.
  • This study investigated the febrile response and temperature measurement methods in G. major.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if higher pre-antibiotic MSBT in G. major correlates with a greater temperature decrease post-treatment.
  • To assess if temperature measurement techniques induce stress fever, potentially masking febrile responses.
  • To confirm if G. major exhibits a febrile response.

Main Methods:

  • Administered a 14-day antibiotic treatment to G. major with high MSBTs.
  • Analyzed changes in MSBT before and after antibiotic treatment.
  • Compared MSBTs measured via indwelling cloacal thermocouples versus intraperitoneal telemeters.

Main Results:

  • Higher pre-antibiotic MSBT lizards showed a significant decrease (1.7°C) after treatment.
  • The magnitude of MSBT change was dependent on pre-antibiotic MSBT, suggesting fever intensity.
  • No significant difference in MSBT was found between thermocouple and telemeter measurements, indicating no induced stress fever.

Conclusions:

  • G. major does exhibit a febrile response, previously masked by bacterial infections.
  • The febrile response magnitude is linked to the pre-treatment body temperature.
  • Standard temperature measurement methods do not appear to induce significant stress fever in this species.

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