title: Microbial cell wall product contamination of bedding may induce pulmonary inflammation in rats.
abstract: To test the hypothesis that airborne microbial cell wall components could induce an inflammatory response in the lungs, measurements were made of the amounts of bacterial endotoxin and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan in laboratory animal bedding materials. Groups of rats were exposed by inhalation to airborne endotoxin, (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan or a combination of the two for 5 weeks. The results demonstrated that measurable amounts of endotoxin and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan could be detected in the different bedding materials. In contrast to animals at delivery, those kept on bedding for 5 weeks showed moderate inflammatory reactions in the lung. These were most pronounced among animals exposed to endotoxin and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan. The results suggest that further studies need to be undertaken to elucidate the role of microbial cell wall products in the development of inflammatory lung responses among research animals.
authors.affiliation: AstraZeneca R&D, Laboratory Animal Resources, Mölndal, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ewaldsson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fogelmark
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Feinstein
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ewaldsson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rylander
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000382:microbiology*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005260:Female; D005936:Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D047071:beta-Glucans
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D005936:Glucans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D047071:beta-Glucans; C033363:beta-1,3-glucan