Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026
A Contemporary Warming/Restraining Device for Efficient Tail Vein Injections in a Murine Fungal Sepsis Model
Published on: November 6, 2020
Surface hypothermia predicts murine mortality in the intragastric Vibrio vulnificus infection model
Hannah E Gavin1, Karla J F Satchell2
1Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Ward 6-205, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
Background:
The Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio vulnificus can cause severe disease in humans who consume undercooked, contaminated seafood. To study food-borne V. vulnificus disease in the laboratory, mouse virulence studies predominantly use death as the primary experimental endpoint because behaviorally based moribund status does not consistently predict lethality. This study assessed ventral surface temperature (VST) and its association with mouse survival during V. vulnificus virulence studies as an efficacious, humane alternative.
Methods:
VST of mice intragastrically inoculated with V. vulnificus was measured every 2-h for 24 h and data for minimal VST analyzed for prediction of lethal outcome.
Results:
In contrast to the relatively stable VST of mock-infected control animals, mice infected with V. vulnificus exhibited hypothermia with minima occurring 8 to 12 h post-inoculation. The minimum VST of mice that proceeded to death was significantly lower than that of surviving mice. VST ≤ 23.5 °C was predictive of subsequent death with a sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 95%.
Conclusions:
Use of VST ≤ 23.5 °C as an experimental endpoint during V. vulnificus infection has potential to reduce suffering of nearly 70% of mice for a mean of 10 h per mouse, without compromising experimental efficacy. Temperature cutoff of 23.5 °C exhibited 93% positive and 77% negative predictive value. For future V. vulnificus virulence studies requiring only binary comparison (e.g., LD50 assays), we find that VST can be applied as a humane endpoint. However, use of VST is not recommended when detailed survival kinetics are desired.
Insights
Ventral surface temperature (VST) in mice infected with Vibrio vulnificus can predict lethal outcomes. A VST of 23.5°C or lower indicates a high probability of death, allowing for a more humane experimental endpoint.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Animal Models
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Vibrio vulnificus is a Gram-negative bacterium causing severe illness from contaminated seafood.
- Current mouse models for V. vulnificus infection primarily use lethality as an endpoint, which may not accurately reflect disease progression.
- Behavioral moribund status in mice does not consistently predict death in V. vulnificus virulence studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate ventral surface temperature (VST) as a humane and effective alternative endpoint in V. vulnificus mouse virulence studies.
- To determine if VST can predict lethal outcomes in mice infected with V. vulnificus.
- To assess the potential of VST to reduce animal suffering during V. vulnificus research.
Main Methods:
- Mice were intragastrically inoculated with V. vulnificus.
- Ventral surface temperature (VST) was measured every 2 hours for 24 hours post-inoculation.
- Minimal VST data was analyzed to predict lethal outcomes.
Main Results:
- V. vulnificus infected mice developed hypothermia, with minimal VST occurring 8-12 hours post-inoculation.
- The minimum VST of mice that died was significantly lower than that of surviving mice.
- A VST threshold of ≤23.5°C predicted subsequent death with 68% sensitivity and 95% specificity.
Conclusions:
- Using VST ≤23.5°C as an experimental endpoint can reduce suffering in approximately 70% of mice for a mean of 10 hours per mouse without compromising experimental efficacy.
- A VST cutoff of 23.5°C demonstrated 93% positive and 77% negative predictive value.
- VST can serve as a humane endpoint for V. vulnificus virulence studies requiring binary comparisons, such as LD50 assays, but is not recommended for detailed survival kinetics analysis.
