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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
In Ovo Intravascular Injection in Chicken Embryos
Published on: June 3, 2022
EXPERIMENTAL GONOCOCCUS INFECTION OF THE CHICK EMBRYO
1Department of Pathology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville.
Abstract:
1. The reaction of the chick embryo to nine strains of gonococci was studied. Four of these were inoculated intra-amniotically in 14 to 15 day embryos. 2. Infection of the 10 day chorio-allantoic membrane was localized and accompanied by polymorphonuclear leucocytic phagocytosis. 3. Infection was either transitory or persisted until hatching. Several strains killed the 10 day embryo in 3 days. 4. Chicken immune sera placed on the infected membranes failed to affect phagocytosis. 5. Slight sinusitis, bronchitis, and infection of the pulmonary alveoli were common following intra-amniotic injection of 14 to 15 day embryos. Infection also extended to the pulmonary and abdominal air sacs. 6. Serial passage on the membrane so modified one strain that it killed a greater percentage of both 10 day and 14 day embryos. The infection after modification was also accompanied by bacteremia and meningitis in one embryo. 7. The ability of meningococci to invade tissue and produce septicemia is contrasted with the inability of gonococci to produce more than a superficial infection. 8. The infection of the embryo with gonococci reproduces all of the essential characteristics of the disease in man. 9. Gonococci were found within columnar epithelial cells in a case of acute human urethritis.
Insights
Chick embryos exposed to gonococci showed localized infections, with some strains proving lethal. This chick embryo model effectively replicates human gonorrhea, aiding in understanding the pathogen
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococci) causes human infections, primarily urethritis.
- The chick embryo model is utilized to study infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reaction of chick embryos to Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- To assess the potential of the chick embryo as a model for gonorrhea.
Main Methods:
- Nine strains of gonococci were used, with four inoculated intra-amniotically into 14-15 day old chick embryos.
- Infection was also studied on the chorio-allantoic membrane of 10-day-old embryos.
- Chicken immune sera were applied to infected membranes.
Main Results:
- Infection on the chorio-allantoic membrane was localized with phagocytosis.
- Infection course varied from transitory to lethal, with some strains killing embryos within 3 days.
- Intra-amniotic injection led to sinusitis, bronchitis, and air sac infections.
- Serial passage enhanced one strain's virulence, causing bacteremia and meningitis.
- Gonococci were observed within epithelial cells in human urethritis cases.
Conclusions:
- The chick embryo model replicates key features of human gonorrhea.
- Gonococci demonstrated limited tissue invasion compared to meningococci.
- The model provides insights into gonococcal pathogenesis and host response.
