title: Neonatal mouse model of group B streptococcal infection.
abstract: Neonatal mice were infected with type III group B streptococcal (GBS) strain M781 by the intraperitoneal route. Age-related susceptibility to challenge was seen within the first 5 days of life. Quantitative blood cultures demonstrated a rapid increase in bacterial numbers during the first 30 h after challenge. Infected pups showed clinical signs of septicemia, and most succumbed within 48 h of challenge. Histopathologic evaluation of the neonates showed bacterial infection within 1 day after challenge. Pregnant adult mice were given a single inoculation of serum raised in rabbits against a tetanus toxoid-conjugated type III GBS polysaccharide vaccine. This serum passively protected 100% of the offspring. This neonatal mouse model of GBS infection and protection may be suitable for study of various forms of intervention.
authors.affiliation: Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115-5899.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Rodewald
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Onderdonk
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kasper
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial