Tularemia in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice vaccinated with Francisella tularensis LVS and challenged intradermally, or by aerosol with virulent isolates of the pathogen: protection varies depending on pathogen virulence, route of exposure, and host genetic background.
In order to begin understanding the immunological basis for immunity to tularemia, and to establish a baseline for judging the efficacy of potential novel vaccines, the present study examined the ability of the live vaccine strain of Francisella tularensis (F. tularensis) LVS, to elicit immunity in mice against subsequent systemic and aerosol challenge with highly virulent strains of the pathogen. The results show, that infection with LVS protects BALB/c mice against systemic challenge with virulent Types A and B F. tularensis. In contrast, C57BL/6 mice vaccinated with LVS were only rendered immune to systemic challenge with Type B F. tularensis. Neither mouse strain immunized with LVS was able to resist aerosol challenge with Type A F. tularensis, and only immunized BALB/c mice withstood exposure to aerosols of Type B F. tularensis.
Chen
Wangxue
W
National Research Council Canada, Institute for Biological Sciences, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0R6.
Shen
Hua
H
Webb
Ann
A
KuoLee
Rhonda
R
Conlan
J Wayne
JW
D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012008:Recurrence; D013045:Species Specificity; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014406:Tularemia / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014611:Vaccination
D000336:Aerosols; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines