Peculiarities of the Inflammatory Process in the Reproductive Organs of C57Bl/6 Female Mice with Experimental
G T Sukhikh1, S I Kayukova2, I V Bocharova3
1V. I. Kulakov Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
Abstract:
Intravenous infection of C57Bl/6 female mice with M. tuberculosis H37Rv led to involvement of the lungs and dissemination of the tuberculous infection to the abdominal and pelvic organs. M. tuberculosis were detected in the lungs and spleen in 14, 35, and 90 days and in the uterine horns in 90 days after infection. Morphological analysis of organs showed successive development of exudative necrotic tuberculosis of the lungs, acute and chronic nonspecific inflammation in the reproductive organs (vagina, uterus, and uterine horns). The inflammatory process in the reproductive organs was associated with the development of anaerobic dysbiosis, that was most pronounced in 35 days after infection. Antituberculous therapy was followed by reduction of M. tuberculosis count in the lungs and spleen in 60 and 90 days after infection, eliminatation of M. tuberculosis in the uterine horns, arrest of nonspecific inflammation in female reproductive organs, recovery of the balance between aerobic and anaerobic microflora, and development of candidiasis of the urogenital mucosa.
Insights
Tuberculosis (TB) infection in female mice affects the lungs and reproductive organs, causing inflammation and dysbiosis. Treatment reduced bacterial load and inflammation, but led to candidiasis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affects the lungs.
- Dissemination to extrapulmonary sites, including reproductive organs, can occur.
- The impact of M. tuberculosis infection on the female reproductive system and associated microbiota is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathological effects of M. tuberculosis H37Rv infection on the lungs and reproductive organs in female mice.
- To assess the dissemination patterns of M. tuberculosis in various organs post-infection.
- To evaluate the impact of antitubercular therapy on infection, inflammation, and microbiota.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous infection of C57Bl/6 female mice with M. tuberculosis H37Rv.
- Monitoring of M. tuberculosis load in lungs, spleen, and uterine horns at 14, 35, 60, and 90 days post-infection.
- Morphological analysis of affected organs.
- Assessment of inflammatory responses and microbial flora in reproductive organs.
- Evaluation of treatment effects following antitubercular therapy.
Main Results:
- M. tuberculosis disseminated from the lungs to the spleen and uterine horns.
- Infection led to exudative necrotic pneumonia and nonspecific inflammation in reproductive organs.
- Anaerobic dysbiosis was observed in reproductive organs, peaking at 35 days post-infection.
- Antitubercular therapy reduced M. tuberculosis in lungs and spleen, cleared it from uterine horns, and resolved inflammation.
- Therapy also restored microbial balance but induced candidiasis in the urogenital mucosa.
Conclusions:
- M. tuberculosis infection in female mice causes significant pulmonary and reproductive tract pathology, including dysbiosis.
- Antitubercular therapy is effective in controlling infection and inflammation but can alter the host microbiome, leading to secondary infections like candidiasis.
