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Bordetella pertussis respiratory tract infection in the mouse: pathophysiological responses
Abstract:
The influence of living Bordetella pertussis on the induction and duration of pathophysiological reactions in mice infected intranasally with graded doses of culture was studied. Lethally infected mice showed loss of body weight, spleen atrophy, pronounced hypothermia and hypoglycemia, and highly elevated levels of leukocytes and serum immunoreactive insulin. Sublethally infected mice showed normal weight gain, practically normal temperature, spleen enlargement, lesser pronounced hypoglycemia, lower but significantly elevated levels of leukocytes and serum immunoreactive insulin, and histamine sensitization. Intensity of each reaction was related to the degree of lung infectivity. Hypothermia and leukocytosis were highly correlated. Concentration of serum immunoreactive insulin was closely related to the level of leukocytosis but not to the level of glucose. The strain and age of mice significantly affected the degree and duration of the reactions. The results suggest that the intranasally infected mouse may provide a useful model for investigations on whooping cough.
Insights
This study shows that intranasal infection with Bordetella pertussis in mice causes physiological changes like hypothermia and elevated leukocytes. These reactions, observed in a potential whooping cough model, vary with infection severity and mouse factors.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Whooping cough (pertussis) is a significant respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis.
- Understanding the host-pathogen interactions and disease progression is crucial for developing effective treatments and vaccines.
- Mouse models are essential for studying infectious diseases, but a comprehensive model for pertussis pathophysiology is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathophysiological effects of intranasal Bordetella pertussis infection in mice.
- To determine the relationship between infection dose, lung infectivity, and observed physiological reactions.
- To evaluate the suitability of the intranasally infected mouse as a model for studying whooping cough.
Main Methods:
- Mice were infected intranasally with varying doses of live Bordetella pertussis.
- Evaluated parameters included body weight, spleen size, body temperature, blood glucose, leukocyte count, and serum insulin levels.
- Histamine sensitization was also assessed to measure disease severity.
Main Results:
- Lethally infected mice exhibited weight loss, spleen atrophy, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, elevated leukocytes, and increased serum insulin.
- Sublethally infected mice showed less severe symptoms, including spleen enlargement, normal temperature, and elevated leukocytes and insulin.
- Reaction intensity correlated with lung infectivity, with hypothermia and leukocytosis showing a strong correlation. Serum insulin levels were linked to leukocytosis.
Conclusions:
- The intranasally infected mouse model demonstrates dose-dependent pathophysiological changes relevant to whooping cough.
- The observed reactions, including hypothermia, leukocytosis, and altered insulin levels, provide insights into pertussis pathogenesis.
- This model shows promise for further research into whooping cough mechanisms and potential interventions.