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[The preservation of strains of pathogenic Treponema pallidum in BALB/c mice]
Abstract:
A clinical and serologic follow-up of 307 BALB/c mice and 12 rabbits injected with the blood and brain and spinal tissue of mice infected with 5 strains of T. pallidum has demonstrated the possibility of a prolonged (up to 465 days) preservation of pathogenic T. pallidum strains in these mice, as well as the regularity of a syphilitic infection development in rabbits. This permits recommending T. pallidum pathogenic strains to be maintained in mice at laboratories of institutions for skin and sexually transmitted diseases where experimental and diagnostic studies with the use of specific serologic tests for syphilis are carried out.
Insights
Pathogenic Treponema pallidum strains can be preserved in mice for extended periods, up to 465 days. This finding supports using mice for maintaining syphilis strains in laboratories for research and diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, remains a significant global health concern.
- Maintaining viable infectious agents is crucial for research and diagnostic development.
- Current methods for preserving Treponema pallidum strains have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term preservation of pathogenic Treponema pallidum strains in a murine model.
- To assess the development of syphilitic infection in rabbits inoculated with infected mouse tissues.
- To establish a reliable method for maintaining Treponema pallidum in laboratory settings.
Main Methods:
- Infection of BALB/c mice with five strains of Treponema pallidum.
- Clinical and serologic monitoring of infected mice and rabbits.
- Inoculation of rabbits with blood, brain, and spinal tissue from infected mice.
- Long-term preservation studies of Treponema pallidum in mice.
Main Results:
- Pathogenic Treponema pallidum strains were successfully preserved in mice for up to 465 days.
- Syphilitic infection developed regularly in rabbits inoculated with infected mouse tissues.
- BALB/c mice demonstrated prolonged viability of infectious Treponema pallidum strains.
Conclusions:
- BALB/c mice serve as a suitable host for the long-term preservation of pathogenic Treponema pallidum.
- This murine model facilitates the maintenance of syphilis strains for experimental and diagnostic purposes.
- Recommended for laboratories involved in syphilis research and serologic testing.