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Bacterial infections in Myd88-deficient mice
Jason S Villano1, Fang Rong2, Timothy K Cooper3
1Animal Resources Center, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. jvillano@med.umich.edu.
Comparative Medicine
|March 29, 2014
Summary
Immunocompromised Myd88(-/-) mice experienced severe illness and death due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Contaminated water sipper tubes were the likely source, highlighting the need for strict husbandry in research settings.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Animal Health
Background:
- Myd88(-/-) mice, crucial for studying Toll-like receptor signaling, exhibited high morbidity and mortality in breeding colonies.
- Clinical signs included seizures, abdominal distension, and head tilt, suggesting severe systemic illness.
Observation:
- Histopathology revealed widespread bacterial infections, including bacteremia, placentitis, metritis, peritonitis with abscesses, and meningoencephalitis.
- Gram-negative coccobacilli were identified within affected tissues.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from blood and water sipper tubes, and detected via PCR in tissues and feces.
Findings:
- Despite autoclaved water, Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination of sipper tubes is suspected as the inoculation route.
- Myd88(-/-) mice, lacking key innate and adaptive immune responses, were highly susceptible to P. aeruginosa infection.
Implications:
- These cases emphasize the critical interplay between genotype (Myd88 deficiency), phenotype, and environmental factors in animal health.
- Strict adherence to husbandry and experimental protocols is essential to prevent pathogen exposure in immunodeficient mouse models.
