Ex vivo bioluminescence imaging of late gestation ewes following intrauterine inoculation with lux-modified Escherichia coli.
Our objectives were to develop an ovine model for Escherichia coli-induced preterm delivery, and monitor E. coli (lux modified for photonic detection) invasion of the fetal environment--ewes (124+/-18d of gestation) received intrauterine inoculations using E. coli-lux as follows: control (n = 5), 1.2 x 10(6) CFU/ml (n = 5), 5.6 x 10(6) CFU/ml (n = 5) E. coli-lux. Preterm delivery occurred between 48 and 120 h post-inoculation in 60%, 60% of ewes infected with 1.2, and 5.6 x 10(6) CFU/ml E. coli-lux, respectively, with presence of emitting bacteria confirmed by real-time imaging of lamb tissues. In summary, preterm delivery and/or fetal distress were observed in a majority of inoculated ewes. Finally, the use of photonic bacteria with imaging was a feasible means to monitor bacterial presence ex vivo.
Moulton
K
K
Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA.
Ryan
P
P
Christiansen
D
D
Hopper
R
R
Klauser
C
C
Bennett
W
W
Rodts-Palenik
S
S
Willard
S
S
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000382:microbiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000382:microbiology
D008156:Luciferases