Experimental infection of nude mice as a model for Sarcocystis neurona-associated encephalitis.
The development of a rodent model for the study of Sarcocystis neurona encephalitis is described. Animal models have been developed for a number of protozoal parasites; however, no such model exists for S. neurona. The approach used in this study is similar to that employed for other closely related protozoal parasites such as Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. A time course of infection was examined, and histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and parasite isolation were used to examine the pathogenesis and follow the infection from 1 to 6 weeks postinoculation. S. neurona was associated with the development of encephalitis in these mice, and the immune status determined the susceptibility of these mice to S. neurona-associated encephalitis.
Marsh
A E
AE
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616-8745, USA.
Barr
B C
BC
Lakritz
J
J
Nordhausen
R
R
Madigan
J E
JE
Conrad
P A
PA
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000469:parasitology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000469:parasitology*; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008819:Mice, Nude; D016513:Mice, SCID; D009474:Neurons / Q000469:parasitology*; D012522:Sarcocystis / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012523:Sarcocystosis / Q000469:parasitology*