Murine model for Bartonella birtlesii infection: New aspects

BartonellaInfection in Rodents and Their Flea Ectoparasites: An Overview

“…The infection dynamics of rodent-associated bartonellae have been extensively explored and partially elucidated in wild-captured and laboratory rodent models (Kosoy et al 1999, Kosoy et al 2000, Boulouis et al 2001, Koesling et al 2001, Marignac et al 2010, Colton et al 2011, Colton and Kosoy 2012, Morick et al 2013a). The first phase of the Bartonella infection, spanning from the inoculation of the flea infected-contents (e.g., feces and gut voids) on the wounded skin of the mammal to the appearance of the bacteremia still remains obscure (Chomel et al 2009, Harms andDehio 2012).…”

“…Foil et al (1998) explored additional infection strategies of B. henselae in cats, including bacteremic blood injections. Similarly, alternative routes were tested in rodents, including oral and ocular routes (Marignac et al 2010). These experiments investigated the potential acquisition of Bartonella infection by ingestion of fleas by the rodents (e.g., as a result of grooming) or the direct inoculation of the bacteria into the eyes (e.g., as a result of aggression behavior) that could prompt these membranes as alternative entry pathways.…”

“…Supporting evidence for this route was initially demonstrated in cats infected through the inoculation of cat-flea (Ctenocephalides felis) feces (Foil et al 1998). As stercoraria may seem an inefficient infection route (Birtles 2005, Marignac et al 2010, further studies are required to investigate the occurrence of stercoraria, determine possible fecal components that may promote entry and establishment of bartonellae in the intradermal compartment, calculate the amount of fecal depositions in host skin per a specific time period, and ultimately define the minimal bacterial load required for infection efficiency.…”

“…The first phase of the Bartonella infection, spanning from the inoculation of the flea infected-contents (e.g., feces and gut voids) on the wounded skin of the mammal to the appearance of the bacteremia still remains obscure (Chomel et al 2009, Harms andDehio 2012). An incubation period has been evidenced after rodents were inoculated with bartonellae by intravenous, subcutaneous, intradermal, or flea-infected challenges , Marignac et al 2010, Morick et al 2013a). Thus, a primary niche for the infection has been proposed (Chomel et al 2009, Harms andDehio 2012).…”

Bartonella and Brucella--Weapons and Strategies for Stealth Attack

“…Several Bartonella species also have a small animal model reflecting infection either (1) in the reservoir host (Fig. 1), for example, rat for Bartonella tribocorum (Schulein and Dehio 2002) and mouse for Bartonella birtlesii and Bartonella grahamii (Koesling et al 2001;Marignac et al 2010); or (2) in a nonreservoir host as an incidental infection, for example, the lymphadenopathy mouse model for B. henselae (Kunz et al 2008), mirroring human infection by zoonotic species (in this case, CSD). In vivo models also proved to be a significant tool in understanding immune responses during the course of infection.…”