Pathologic changes associated with brucellosis experimentally induced by aerosol exposure in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
OBJECTIVE
To develop an aerosol exposure method for induction of brucellosis in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).


METHODS
10 adult rhesus macaques.


METHODS
8 rhesus macaques were challenge exposed with 10(2) to 10(5) colony-forming units of Brucella melitensis 16M by use of an aerosol-exposure technique, and 2 served as control animals. All macaques were euthanatized 63 days after challenge exposure. Gross and microscopic lesions, bacterial burden in target organs, and histologic changes in tissues were evaluated.


RESULTS
Grossly, spleen weights were increased in exposed macaques, compared with spleen weights in control macaques. Histologically, there was inflammation in the liver, kidneys, spleen, testes, and epididymides in exposed macaques. The spleen and lymph nodes had increased numbers of lymphohistiocytic cells. Morphometrically, the spleen also had an increased ratio of white pulp to red pulp. Areas of hepatitis and amount of splenic white pulp increased with increasing exposure dose.


CONCLUSIONS
Pathologic findings in rhesus macaques after aerosol exposure to B melitensis are similar to those observed in humans with brucellosis.


CONCLUSIONS
These results may aid in the development of a vaccine against brucellosis that can be used in humans.
Mense
Mark G
MG
Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910-7500, USA.
Borschel
Richard H
RH
Wilhelmsen
Catherine L
CL
Pitt
M Louise
ML
Hoover
David L
DL
D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D017347:Brucella melitensis; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology; D014781:Viscera / Q000473:pathology
D000336:Aerosols