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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Transurethral Induction of Mouse Urinary Tract Infection
Published on: August 5, 2010
[Pathogenicity of Ureaplasma urealyticum serotype 3 in genital tract of mice]
Hua Li1, Hong-wen Zhang, Pu-xiang Chen
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Objective:
To study the pathogenicity of Ureaplasma urealyticum serotype 3 (UU3) with different concentration in the genital tract of the mice.
Methods:
A total of 156 Kunming mice were divided into 4 groups randomly, including group A, B, C (48 mice in every experimental group) and control group (12 mice in control group). UU 3 at concentration of 1x10(7) copy/g (group A), 1x10(6) copy/g (group B), 1x10(5) copy/g (group C) were inoculated into 48 mice in every experimental group intravaginally, in the mean time, culture medium of UU was given into 12 mice in control group. They were necropsied at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 35 days of postinoculation randomly, which included 8 mice of every experimental group and 2 mice of control group every time, and to detect UU3 expression from cervical secretions by FQ-PCR and observing the pathogenicity rate in tissues of cervix, endometrium, fallopian tube by light microscope and calculate the morbidity rate.
Results:
(1) The total positive rates of UU3 were 63% (30/48) in group A, 50% (24/48) in group B, 17% (8/48) in group C, which showed a significant difference (P<0.01). And at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 35 days of postinoculation, the positive rates of group A were 8/8, 7/8, 6/8, 5/8, 4/8 and 0, group B were 7/8, 5/8, 5/8, 4/8, 3/8 and 0, group C were 3/8, 2/8, 2/8, 1/8, 0 and 0; all mice in control group were zero. At all time points, there were statistical difference in the positive rate among three experimental groups only at 1 day (P<0.05). (2) In the positive mice, their UU3 quantity concentration at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 days were 1.70x10(7), 8.26x10(6), 4.04x10(6), 2.86x10(6), and 2.41x10(5) copy/g in group A; 3.75x10(6), 2.56x10(6), 1.37x10(6), 6.72x10(5), and 1.12x10(5) copy/g in group B, and 1.45x10(5), 1.07x10(5), 5.43x10(4), 4.68x10(3), and 0 copy/g in group C. There were statistical difference among experimental groups at all time points except 21 days (P<0.05). Comparing the concentration among all time points of every group, both group A and B showed a significant difference (P<0.05), group C didn't reach it (P>0.05). (3) The total pathogenicity rates of three groups were significant different at 7-35 days, which were 56% (18/32) in group A, 44% (14/32) in group B, 6% (2/32) in group C (P<0.01). And at 7, 14, 21, 35 days of postinoculation, the pathogenicity rates in group A were 5/8, 5/8, 4/8 and 4/8, group B were 4/8, 4/8, 3/8 and 3/8, group C were 1/8, 0, 1/8 and 0; all mice in control group were zero, which demonstrated significant difference only at 14 days (P<0.05), no other statistical difference were observed (P>0.05).
Conclusions:
The pathogenicity of UU3 varies with different concentration in genital tract of mice. When UU3 concentration is more than 1x10(6) copy/g, the susceptibility to infection was intensified significantly.
Insights
Higher concentrations of Ureaplasma urealyticum serotype 3 (UU3) significantly increase pathogenicity in the mouse genital tract. Concentrations above 1x10^6 copy/g intensify infection susceptibility, highlighting the dose-dependent effect of UU3.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Animal Models
Context:
- Ureaplasma urealyticum serotype 3 (UU3) is a bacterium implicated in various genitourinary infections.
- Understanding the pathogenicity of specific serotypes and their dose-response relationship is crucial for disease management.
- The mouse genital tract serves as a relevant model for studying urogenital infections.
Purpose:
- To investigate the pathogenicity of Ureaplasma urealyticum serotype 3 (UU3) at varying concentrations within the mouse genital tract.
- To determine the correlation between UU3 inoculum concentration and the observed pathogenicity and infection rates.
Summary:
- Mice were inoculated with UU3 at concentrations of 1x10^7, 1x10^6, or 1x10^5 copy/g, with a control group receiving culture medium.
- FQ-PCR and light microscopy were used to assess UU3 expression and pathogenicity in cervical, endometrial, and fallopian tube tissues.
- Higher UU3 concentrations (≥1x10^6 copy/g) resulted in significantly higher positive rates and pathogenicity compared to lower concentrations.
Impact:
- The study demonstrates a clear dose-dependent pathogenicity of UU3 in a murine model.
- Findings suggest that UU3 concentrations exceeding 1x10^6 copy/g significantly enhance susceptibility to infection.
- This research provides valuable insights into the pathogenesis of UU3 infections and informs potential therapeutic strategies.
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