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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
Published on: February 22, 2019
The mouse intranasal challenge model for potency testing of whole-cell pertussis vaccines
Anne Marie Queenan1, Jeffrey Fernandez, Wenchi Shang
1Janssen Pharmaceutical Research and Development - Bacterial Vaccines Research and Development, 600 Welsh and McKean Rd, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA.
Introduction:
A mouse intracerebral challenge model is used for potency testing of whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccines. We investigated the use of a mouse nasopharyngeal challenge model, which better reflects the clinical features of pertussis disease, to differentiate between efficacy of wP vaccines.
Methods:
Efficacy of three wP vaccines (Quinvaxem(®), Easyfive(®) and Pentavac(®)) was tested in the nasopharyngeal challenge model. Mice were vaccinated at 4 and 7 weeks and challenged with Bordetella pertussis at 9 weeks. Vaccine efficacy was determined based on CFU in the lungs 5 days after challenge.
Results:
The mouse nasopharyngeal challenge model has the capacity to differentiate between the efficacy of whole cell pertussis vaccines.
Conclusion:
The mouse nasopharyngeal challenge model could be considered as a potency and release assay for wP vaccines. Whether this model directly correlates with clinical vaccine efficacy requires further investigations. Whether this model directly correlates with clinical vaccine efficacy requires further investigations. The mouse nasopharyngeal challenge model could be considered as a potency and release assay for wP vaccines.
