Establishment of rat model for Pneumocystis carinii infection and cloning of the surface glycoprotein A gene of Pneumocystis carinii.
OBJECTIVE
To establish a rat model for Pneumocystis carinii infection and to clone surface glycoprotein A (GpA) gene of Pneumocystis carini.


METHODS
Immunosuppression was induced in 5 rats with an immunosuppresion regimen consisting mainly of dexamethasone in a course of 2 weeks, after which pulmonary homogenates of rats infected with Pneumocystis carinii were fed to the immunosuppressed rats. Immunosuppression was maintained for approximately 4 weeks after the feeding to induce Pneumocystis pneumonia in the rats. GpA gene was subsequently amplified from the rats with pneumonia as confirmed by microscope and PCR detection, and was subcloned into T-vector for the transformation of Escherichia coli JM109 strain.


RESULTS
Pneumocystis carinii was detected by microscope and PCR detection in rats with immunosuppression. The length of PCR product was 319 bp as shown by agarose electrophoresis.


CONCLUSIONS
The rat model of Pneumocystis carinii infection can be established by immunosuppression with dexamethasone and a single oral administration of the pathogen.
Ouyang
Li-Si
LS
18th Corps of First Cadet Brigade, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Mo
Qing-Yi
QY
Peng
Hong-Juan
HJ
Chen
Xiao-Guang
XG
Shen
Shu-Man
SM
D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D023421:Models, Animal; D011010:Pneumocystis / Q000235:genetics*; D016720:Pneumocystis Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D004271:DNA, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins