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An aerosolized Brucella spp. challenge model for laboratory animals
S C Olsen1, W R Waters, W S Stoffregen
1Bacterial Diseases Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA, Agriculture, Research Service, Ames, IA 50010, USA. Solsen@NADC.ARS.USDA.GOV
Zoonoses and Public Health
|September 27, 2007
Summary
Determining optimal aerosol dosages for Brucella abortus (S2308) and B. melitensis (S16M) found 10(9) colony forming units (CFU) to be ideal. Brucella abortus strain RB51 (SRB51) vaccination reduced bacterial load after intraperitoneal challenge but not aerosol challenge.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Brucellosis remains a significant zoonotic disease globally.
- Effective laboratory models are crucial for developing countermeasures.
- Optimizing challenge models is key for vaccine efficacy studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal aerosol dosage of Brucella abortus strain 2308 (S2308) and B. melitensis (S16M) in mice.
- To evaluate the protective efficacy of Brucella abortus strain RB51 (SRB51) vaccination against subsequent challenge with S2308 via different routes.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to varying aerosolized doses of S2308 and S16M (10^3-10^10 CFU) to establish optimal challenge levels.
- Mice were vaccinated with SRB51 or saline and subsequently challenged with S2308 via intraperitoneal injection or aerosolization.
- Bacterial colonization in spleen, liver, and lungs was quantified by CFU counts.
Main Results:
- An optimal aerosol dosage of approximately 10^9 CFU was identified for both S16M and S2308.
- SRB51 vaccination significantly reduced splenic, liver, and lung colonization following intraperitoneal S2308 challenge.
- No significant difference in bacterial colonization was observed between SRB51-vaccinated and control groups after aerosol S2308 challenge.
- Aerosol challenge resulted in lower colonization compared to intraperitoneal challenge, indicating route-dependent infection dynamics.
Conclusions:
- The study established an optimal aerosol dosage for Brucella challenge in a murine model.
- SRB51 vaccination demonstrated partial protection against intraperitoneal Brucella challenge, but not against aerosol challenge.
- The route of challenge significantly influences bacterial dissemination and the apparent efficacy of vaccination.
