Biodefense-Driven Murine Model of Pneumonic Melioidosis

Abstract

A whole-body mouse model of pneumonic melioidosis was established for future evaluation of biodefense vaccine candidates. The aerosol 50% lethal doses of Burkholderia pseudomallei strain 1026b for BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice and the times to death, dissemination in organs, and tissue loads after exposure of the mice to low-and high-dose aerosols are reported. In addition, rpsL mutant backgrounds were attenuated in this acute model of disease.

Aerogenic vaccination with a Burkholderia mallei auxotroph protects against aerosol-initiated glanders in mice

“…The aerosol LD 50 of B. mallei ATCC 23344 in mice is ∼10 3 bacteria [30,31] and the intraperitoneal (ip) LD 50 is ∼10 6 bacteria [32]. Given the increased virulence of aerosolized B. mallei, the goal of this study was to protect mice against an aerosol glanders challenge.…”

“…BALB/c mice are susceptible to infection with B. mallei ATCC 23344 given by aerosol and the LD 50 is approximately 10 3 bacteria [30,31]. Animals vaccinated with ILV1 or DD3008 (see above) were exposed to a high-dose aerosol challenge with ATCC 23344 3 weeks postboost.…”

Experimental aerogenic Burkholderia mallei (glanders) infection in the BALB/c mouse

“…Increased lethality achieved with aerosol compared to intraperitoneal challenge has also been observed with the closely related bacterial species B. pseudomallei (M.S. Lever, unpublished observation; Jeddeloh et al, 2003). A possible cause for this route-dependent susceptibility may be the large lung epithelial surface area, with associated macrophages and plentiful blood supply.…”

Quorum Sensing: a Transcriptional Regulatory System Involved in the Pathogenicity of Burkholderia mallei

“…An inhalational challenge of female BALB/c mice, an analysis of the 50% lethal dose (LD 50 ), and measurements of immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers were performed as previously described (19,24,33,38). Briefly, for aerosol exposures, wild-type B. mallei and each QS mutant were inoculated (100 l from a 3-ml overnight culture) into 10 ml of LBG broth and cultured with aeration (250 rpm) for 18 h at 37°C.…”