Standardized mouse infection models as a way of evaluating the potency of anti-infectious agents
1Unité de Toxinologie Moléculaire, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Standardized bacterial and viral mouse infection models have been developed. Infections with extracellular bacteria (K. pneumoniae, S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes A) were produced by either of two routes: via the intravenous route (i.v.) resulting in septicaemia and the intranasal route (i.n.) giving infections confined to the respiratory apparatus. Infections with intracellular bacteria (L. monocytogenes, S. typhimurium) were produced only by the i.v. route. Two types of viral infection, mild and severe, were produced. Infection with influenza virus was by aerosol and herpes virus HSV-1 by the intraperitoneal route. All infection models produced under strictly controlled conditions were shown to be characterized by a remarkable reproducibility regarding both the pattern of development and death rate. The infection models lend themselves to estimation of the efficacy of a drug as well as the designing of new therapeutic strategies.
Insights
Standardized bacterial and viral mouse infection models were created for reproducible research. These models aid in evaluating drug efficacy and developing novel therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Developing reproducible infection models is crucial for studying disease pathogenesis and testing therapeutics.
- Existing models may lack standardization, leading to variability in experimental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize standardized bacterial and viral infection models in mice.
- To establish reproducible models for evaluating drug efficacy and informing therapeutic strategy design.
Main Methods:
- Standardized intravenous (i.v.) and intranasal (i.n.) routes were used for bacterial infections (extracellular: K. pneumoniae, S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes A; intracellular: L. monocytogenes, S. typhimurium).
- Viral infections (influenza, herpes simplex virus 1 [HSV-1]) were induced via aerosol or intraperitoneal routes, with mild and severe infection types.
- Strictly controlled conditions were maintained throughout model development.
Main Results:
- All developed infection models demonstrated remarkable reproducibility in disease progression and mortality rates.
- Models effectively mimicked key aspects of bacterial and viral infections in mice.
- Consistent outcomes were observed across multiple experimental runs.
Conclusions:
- The established standardized mouse infection models provide a reliable platform for preclinical research.
- These models are suitable for the rigorous estimation of drug efficacy.
- The models facilitate the design and optimization of new therapeutic strategies against bacterial and viral pathogens.
