title: Development of a leukocytopenic baby guinea pig model with azathioprine and cyclophosphamide.
abstract: Immunosuppressive agents were given to baby guinea pigs to develop a leukocytopenic baby guinea pig model. Azathioprine in different doses, and cyclophosamide and methylprednisolone combinations did not result in predictable leukocytopenia without significant mortality. A combination of azathioprine 20 mg and cyclophosphamide 20 mg administered once daily for 5 days to 42 baby guinea pigs resulted in a mean white blood cell count of 2531/mm3 +/- 1198 (a reduction of 3931 +/- 1413 from pretreatment values). The mean counts for polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes on day 6 were 398/mm3 and 2035/mm3, respectively. Only 7% mortality was seen in these animals. This model can be utilized to study a variety of bacterial and viral infections in "immunocompromised hosts".
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1317.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Cleveland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001379:Azathioprine; D008775:Methylprednisolone