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A bovine model of respiratory Chlamydia psittaci infection: challenge dose titration.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to establish and evaluate a bovine respiratory model of experimentally induced acute C. psittaci infection. Calves are natural hosts and pathogenesis may resemble the situation in humans. Intrabronchial inoculation of C. psittaci strain DC15 was performed in calves aged 2-3 months via bronchoscope at four different challenge doses from 10(6) to 10(9) inclusion-forming units (ifu) per animal. Control groups received either UV-inactivated C. psittaci or cell culture medium. While 10(6) ifu/calf resulted in a mild respiratory infection only, the doses of 10(7) and 10(8) induced fever, tachypnea, dry cough, and tachycardia that became apparent 2-3 days post inoculation (dpi) and lasted for about one week. In calves exposed to 10(9) ifu C. psittaci, the respiratory disease was accompanied by severe systemic illness (apathy, tremor, markedly reduced appetite). At the time point of most pronounced clinical signs (3 dpi) the extent of lung lesions was below 10% of pulmonary tissue in calves inoculated with 10(6) and 10(7) ifu, about 15% in calves inoculated with 10(8) and more than 30% in calves inoculated with 10(9) ifu C. psittaci. Beside clinical signs and pathologic lesions, the bacterial load of lung tissue and markers of pulmonary inflammation (i.e., cell counts, concentration of proteins and eicosanoids in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid) were positively associated with ifu of viable C. psittaci. While any effect of endotoxin has been ruled out, all effects could be attributed to infection by the replicating bacteria. In conclusion, the calf represents a suitable model of respiratory chlamydial infection. Dose titration revealed that both clinically latent and clinically manifest infection can be reproduced experimentally by either 10(6) or 10(8) ifu/calf of C. psittaci DC15 while doses above 10(8) ifu C. psittaci cannot be recommended for further studies for ethical reasons. This defined model of different clinical expressions of chlamydial infection allows studying host-pathogen interactions.

SUBMITTER: Reinhold P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3267716 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A bovine model of respiratory Chlamydia psittaci infection: challenge dose titration.

Reinhold Petra P Ostermann Carola C Liebler-Tenorio Elisabeth E Berndt Angela A Vogel Anette A Lambertz Jacqueline J Rothe Michael M Rüttger Anke A Schubert Evelyn E Sachse Konrad K

PloS one 20120127 1

This study aimed to establish and evaluate a bovine respiratory model of experimentally induced acute C. psittaci infection. Calves are natural hosts and pathogenesis may resemble the situation in humans. Intrabronchial inoculation of C. psittaci strain DC15 was performed in calves aged 2-3 months via bronchoscope at four different challenge doses from 10(6) to 10(9) inclusion-forming units (ifu) per animal. Control groups received either UV-inactivated C. psittaci or cell culture medium. While ...[more]

PMID: 22299031

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Project description:BackgroundChlamydia psittaci (Cp) is a respiratory pathogen capable of inducing acute pulmonary zoonotic disease (psittacosis) or persistent infection. To elucidate the pathogenesis of this infection, a translational large animal model was recently introduced by our group. This study aims at quantifying and differentiating pulmonary dysfunction and acid-base imbalances induced by Cp.MethodsForty-two calves were grouped in (i) animals inoculated with Cp (n?=?21) and (ii) controls sham-inoculated with uninfected cell culture (n?=?21). For pulmonary function testing, impulse oscillometry, capnography, and FRC (functional residual capacity) measurement were applied to spontaneously breathing animals. Variables of acid-base status were assessed in venous blood using both (i) traditional Henderson-Hasselbalch and (ii) strong ion approach.ResultsBoth obstructive and restrictive pulmonary disorders were induced in calves experimentally inoculated with Cp. Although disorders in respiratory mechanics lasted for 8-11 days, the pattern of spontaneous breathing was mainly altered in the period of acute illness (until 4 days post inoculation, dpi). Expiration was more impaired than inspiration, resulting in elevated FRC. Ventilation was characterised by a reduction in tidal volume (-25%) combined with an increased percentage of dead space volume and a significant reduction of alveolar volume by 10%. Minute ventilation increased significantly (+50%) due to a compensatory doubling of respiratory rate. Hyperventilatory hypocapnia at 2-3 dpi resulted in slightly increased blood pH at 2 dpi. However, the acid-base equilibrium was additionally influenced by metabolic components, i.e. the systemic inflammatory response, all of which were detected with help of the strong ion theory. Decreased concentrations of albumin (2-10 dpi), a negative acute-phase marker, resulted in a decrease in the sum of non-volatile weak acids (Atot), revealing an alkalotic effect. This was counterbalanced by acidic effects of decreased strong ion difference (SID), mediated by the interplay between hypochloraemia (alkalotic effect) and hyponatraemia (acidic effect).ConclusionsThis bovine model was found to be suitable for studying pathophysiology of respiratory Cp infection and may help elucidating functional host-pathogen interactions in the mammalian lung.

Dataset Information

A bovine model of respiratory Chlamydia psittaci infection: challenge dose titration.

Publications

A bovine model of respiratory Chlamydia psittaci infection: challenge dose titration.

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