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Burkholderia pseudomallei: animal models of infection
Richard W Titball1, Paul Russell, Jon Cuccui
1School of Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK. r.w.titball@exeter.ac.uk
Abstract:
A range of animal models of Burkholderia pseudomallei infection have been reported, and the host species differ widely both in their susceptibility to infection and in the pathogenesis of disease. In mice, and depending on the route of infection, dose, and mouse strain, the disease can range from a chronic, and in some cases, an apparently latent infection to an acute fulminant disease. Alternative small animal models of infection include diabetic rats or hamsters. Larger animal models of disease have not yet been fully developed. It is not clear which of the small animal models of melioidosis most accurately reflect disease in humans. However, the findings that diabetic rats are susceptible to infection, that some strains of mice can develop persistent subclinical infections that can spontaneously reactivate, and that inhalation exposure generally results in more acute disease suggest that these different models mimic different aspects of human melioidosis.
Insights
Animal models for Burkholderia pseudomallei infection vary in disease presentation. Findings suggest diabetic rats and specific mouse models mimic distinct aspects of human melioidosis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Burkholderia pseudomallei causes melioidosis, a disease with varied presentations in humans.
- Numerous animal models exist for studying B. pseudomallei infection, but host susceptibility and disease pathogenesis differ significantly.
- The optimal animal model that accurately reflects human melioidosis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare existing animal models for Burkholderia pseudomallei infection.
- To assess how different host species and experimental conditions influence disease outcomes.
- To identify which models may best represent specific facets of human melioidosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of reported animal models of Burkholderia pseudomallei infection.
- Analysis of host species susceptibility and disease pathogenesis in various models.
- Comparison of disease manifestations across different animal models (mice, rats, hamsters).
Main Results:
- Mouse models exhibit a spectrum of disease, from chronic/latent to acute fulminant, dependent on strain, dose, and route.
- Diabetic rats and hamsters serve as alternative small animal models.
- Larger animal models are underdeveloped.
- Inhalation exposure in mice often leads to more acute disease.
- Diabetic rats show susceptibility, and some mouse strains develop persistent, reactivatable infections.
Conclusions:
- Existing small animal models (mice, diabetic rats) capture different aspects of human melioidosis.
- Diabetic rats and specific mouse models showing persistent infections or acute responses may offer valuable insights into human disease.
- Further development of larger animal models is needed for comprehensive study.
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