Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Murine Model of Epicutaneously-Induced Immunomodulation
Published on: June 24, 2025
Optimization of murine model for Besnoitia caprae
A Oryan1, R Sadoughifar1, M Namavari2
1Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Abstract:
It has been shown that mice, particularly the BALB/c ones, are susceptible to infection by some of the apicomplexan parasites. To compare the susceptibility of the inbred BALB/c, outbred BALB/c and C57 BL/6 to Besnoitia caprae inoculation and to determine LD50, 30 male inbred BALB/c, 30 outbred BALB/c and 30 C57 BL/6 mice were assigned into 18 groups of 5 mice. Each group was inoculated intraperitoneally with 12.5 × 10(3), 25 × 10(3), 5 × 10(4), 1 × 10(5), 2 × 10(5) tachyzoites and a control inoculum of DMEM, respectively. The inbred BALB/c was found the most susceptible strain among the experienced mice strains so the LD50 per inbred BALB/c mouse was calculated as 12.5 × 10(3.6) tachyzoites while the LD50 for the outbred BALB/c and C57 BL/6 was 25 × 10(3.4) and 5 × 10(4) tachyzoites per mouse, respectively. To investigate the impact of different routes of inoculation in the most susceptible mice strain, another seventy five male inbred BALB/c mice were inoculated with 2 × 10(5) tachyzoites of B. caprae via various inoculation routes including: subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, infraorbital and oral. All the mice in the oral and infraorbital groups survived for 60 days, whereas the IM group showed quicker death and more severe pathologic lesions, which was then followed by SC and IP groups. Therefore, BALB/c mouse is a proper laboratory model and IM inoculation is an ideal method in besnoitiosis induction and a candidate in treatment, prevention and testing the efficacy of vaccines for besnoitiosis.
Insights
Inbred BALB/c mice are most susceptible to Besnoitia caprae infection. Intramuscular inoculation is ideal for studying besnoitiosis in this mouse model, aiding vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Immunology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Apicomplexan parasites, including Besnoitia caprae, can infect mice.
- BALB/c mice are known to be susceptible to certain apicomplexan infections.
- Understanding host susceptibility and optimal inoculation methods is crucial for studying parasitic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the susceptibility of inbred BALB/c, outbred BALB/c, and C57 BL/6 mice to Besnoitia caprae.
- To determine the lethal dose 50 (LD50) of Besnoitia caprae in different mouse strains.
- To evaluate the impact of various inoculation routes on Besnoitia caprae infection in the most susceptible mouse strain.
Main Methods:
- Three mouse strains (inbred BALB/c, outbred BALB/c, C57 BL/6) were inoculated intraperitoneally with varying doses of Besnoitia caprae tachyzoites.
- LD50 was calculated for each mouse strain.
- Inbred BALB/c mice were further inoculated via subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, infraorbital, and oral routes with a high dose of tachyzoites.
Main Results:
- Inbred BALB/c mice exhibited the highest susceptibility to Besnoitia caprae.
- The LD50 values were determined as 12.5 × 10^3.6 for inbred BALB/c, 25 × 10^3.4 for outbred BALB/c, and 5 × 10^4 for C57 BL/6 mice.
- Intramuscular inoculation in inbred BALB/c mice led to rapid mortality and severe lesions, while oral and infraorbital routes resulted in survival.
Conclusions:
- Inbred BALB/c mice serve as a suitable laboratory model for Besnoitia caprae infection.
- Intramuscular inoculation is an effective method for inducing besnoitiosis in this model.
- This model and inoculation method can be utilized for testing treatments, prevention strategies, and vaccine efficacy against besnoitiosis.
