Simplified Whole Body Plethysmography to Characterize Lung Function During Respiratory Melioidosis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Respiratory Physiology
• Infectious Disease Models

Background:

• Animal models are crucial for studying diseases like melioidosis.
• Refining animal models aligns with the 3Rs of Responsible Research: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement.
• New technologies offer opportunities to improve both animal welfare and scientific outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the utility of Simplified Whole Body Plethysmography (sWBP) for non-invasive respiratory monitoring in a lethal respiratory melioidosis model.
• To assess the potential of sWBP in establishing humane endpoint criteria for animal studies.
• To evaluate sWBP as a sensitive tool for tracking disease progression in the lung.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an in-house Simplified Whole Body Plethysmography (sWBP) apparatus.
• Monitored respiratory function non-invasively throughout the course of lethal respiratory melioidosis in a murine model.
• Measured specific respiratory parameters such as bradypnea and hypopnea.

Main Results:

• sWBP demonstrated sensitivity in detecting breathing patterns throughout the disease course in mice.
• The technique allowed for the measurement of moribund-associated symptoms (bradypnea and hypopnea).
• Host breath monitoring via sWBP closely assessed lung dysfunction, the primary site of infection.

Conclusions:

• sWBP is a valuable, non-invasive tool for studying respiratory failure in animal models.
• The rapid and stress-minimizing nature of sWBP enhances animal welfare.
• sWBP can provide critical physiological data for disease progression and humane endpoint determination in respiratory melioidosis models.