title: Transmission of rat and guineapig Haemophilus spp. to mice and rats.
abstract: Mice and rats, free from Pasteurellaceae, were exposed to Haemophilus spp. (V-factor dependent Pasteurellaceae) by housing in proximity to infected rats or guinea pigs, and monitored by culture and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cross infection. A minority of mice became infected when exposed to Haemophilus-infected rats but none when exposed to guinea pigs. Rats were readily infected when exposed to Haemophilus-infected guinea pigs or rats. Although Pasteurellaceae infections are commonly considered as host specific, our data show that Haemophilus spp. can cross the species barrier from rats to mice and from guinea pigs to rats.
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Laboratory for Infectious Diseases and Perinatal Screening, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boot
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Thuis
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Veenema
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000662:veterinary*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000662:veterinary*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006190:Haemophilus; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D006799:Housing, Animal; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms