Bacterial loads and antibody responses in BALB/c mice infected with low and high doses of Burkholderia pseudomallei

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010 Jun;82(6):1102-5. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0567.

Abstract

Profiles of Burkholderia pseudomallei persistence and antibodies in blood, spleen, liver, and lungs of infected BALB/c mice were investigated. Animals were infected intraperitoneally with low (6 colony-forming units) or high (230 colony-forming units) doses of B. pseudomallei. In the high-dose infected group, bacteria were found by culture in 100% of blood, liver, spleen and lung samples at 24 and 48 hours after infections; blood samples were 100% positive by polymerase chain reaction after 60 hours. Antibody responses in the high-dose infected group were low. These responses were detected in the low-dose infected group after 5 days, peaked at 7-14 days, and showed persistence until 28 days post-infection. Bacterial loads and antibody profiles varied according to the level of bacterial infections. This kinetic study, although in animals, provides crucial knowledge that might be useful for the development of a sensitive and specific diagnostic assay for patients with melioidosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Burkholderia pseudomallei*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Melioidosis / blood
  • Melioidosis / immunology*
  • Melioidosis / microbiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial