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An animal model for Lyme arthritis
S W Barthold1, K D Moody, G A Terwilliger
1Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Researchers developed a reproducible rat model for Lyme arthritis. This model, infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, mimics human Lyme disease joint symptoms and aids in studying disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Lyme disease is a significant human illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Developing animal models is crucial for understanding Lyme disease pathogenesis and testing treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and characterize a reproducible rat model of Lyme arthritis.
- To investigate the susceptibility of different rat strains to Borrelia burgdorferi infection and arthritis induction.
Main Methods:
- Intraperitoneal inoculation of Borrelia burgdorferi isolates into neonatal and weanling rats.
- Monitoring for spirochetemia, organ dissemination, and development of arthritis.
- Histopathological examination of affected tissues.
Main Results:
- Neonatal and weanling LEW/N rats developed multisystemic infection and arthritis following inoculation with Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Spirochetes were isolated from blood, various organs, and joints.
- Arthritic lesions in rats closely resembled those observed in human Lyme disease.
- Neonatal F344 and SD rats also exhibited susceptibility to infection and arthritis.
- Pathogenicity was confirmed for three Borrelia burgdorferi isolates, with one retaining virulence after in vitro passages.
Conclusions:
- A highly reproducible rat model for Lyme arthritis has been successfully developed.
- This model allows for in-depth studies into the pathogenetic mechanisms of Lyme disease.
- Further long-term studies are needed to fully define the model and its potential for studying other aspects of Lyme disease.