Isolation of Enterococcus durans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a scid mouse colony

In a colony of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice conspicuously altered behavioural characteristics were observed: hunched position, apathy, dullness, short breath, bristled fur, emaciation, circling movements around their longitudinal axis and oblique head posture. This was most common in pregnant and lactating animals and also observed in 4 mice after experimental treatment. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, serotype P1 and Enterococcus durans, serotype D were isolated from various organs and from the middle ear. On autopsy, the mice showed signs of focal pericarditis and thickened liver capsules. The histological examination of the liver revealed mild, focal accumulations of mononuclear cells. In addition, it was observed that SCID mice with signs of this disease did not allow human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to engraft.