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Updated: Jul 22, 2025
Chronic Salmonella Infected Mouse Model
Published on: May 31, 2010
Murine Models of Salmonella Infection
Gregory T Walker1, Romana R Gerner1,2,3, Sean-Paul Nuccio1
1Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
Abstract:
The pathogen Salmonella enterica encompasses a range of bacterial serovars that cause intestinal inflammation and systemic infections in humans. Mice are a widely used infection model due to their relative simplicity and versatility. Here, we provide standardized protocols for culturing the prolific zoonotic pathogen S. enterica serovar Typhimurium for intragastric inoculation of mice to model colitis or systemic dissemination, along with techniques for direct extraintestinal infection. Furthermore, we present procedures for quantifying pathogen burden and for characterizing the immune response by analyzing tissue pathology, inflammatory markers, and immune cells from intestinal tissues. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Murine colitis model utilizing oral streptomycin pretreatment and oral S. Typhimurium administration Basic Protocol 2: Intraperitoneal injection of S. Typhimurium for modeling extraintestinal infection Support Protocol 1: Preparation of S. Typhimurium inoculum Support Protocol 2: Preparation of mixed S. Typhimurium inoculum for competitive infection Basic Protocol 3: Assessment of S. Typhimurium burden Support Protocol 3: Preservation and pathological assessment of S. Typhimurium-infected tissues Support Protocol 4: Measurement of inflammatory marker expression in intestinal tissues by qPCR Support Protocol 5: Preparation of intestinal content for inflammatory marker quantification by ELISA Support Protocol 6: Immune cell isolation from Salmonella-infected intestinal tissues.
Insights
Standardized protocols are presented for culturing Salmonella Typhimurium in mice to model intestinal inflammation and systemic infection. These methods enable quantification of pathogen burden and immune responses in Salmonella infection models.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Salmonella enterica serovars cause human intestinal inflammation and systemic infections.
- Mice are a common model for studying Salmonella infections.
- Standardized protocols are needed for reproducible research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide standardized protocols for culturing Salmonella Typhimurium in mice.
- To establish methods for modeling colitis and systemic dissemination.
- To detail techniques for assessing pathogen burden and immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Salmonella Typhimurium for intragastric inoculation.
- Modeling extraintestinal infection via intraperitoneal injection.
- Quantifying pathogen burden and analyzing immune responses (pathology, markers, cells).
Main Results:
- Established protocols for murine colitis and extraintestinal infection models.
- Detailed methods for inoculum preparation and competitive infection.
- Provided procedures for assessing Salmonella burden and immune cell populations.
Conclusions:
- The presented protocols facilitate reproducible studies of Salmonella Typhimurium infections in mice.
- These methods enable comprehensive analysis of host-pathogen interactions.
- The standardized approach supports research into intestinal inflammation and systemic dissemination.
