An unusual murine behavior following infection with log-phase Nocardia asteroides type 6 strain GUH-2 (Nocardia cyriacigeorgica GUH-2).
Nocardia asteroides (Nocardia cyriacigeorgica) strain GUH-2 infects the brains of mice following intravenous injection. Non-lethal infections resulted in a transitory increase of bacterial numbers in the brain followed by the development of permanent impaired movements at a time when bacteria appeared to be eliminated from the brain. These signs included headshake, rigidity, stooped posture, dyskinesia, retropulsion, and abnormal tail positioning in approximately 20% of infected animals. The attached video presents a typical mouse following infection with this organism, as compared to an age- and gender-matched uninfected control mouse.
Beaman
Blaine L
BL
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, United States. blbeaman@ucdavis.edu
Tam
Stanley
S
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000382:microbiology*; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology*; D009616:Nocardia asteroides / Q000502:physiology*