title: Use of non-invasive bioluminescent imaging to assess mycobacterial dissemination in mice, treatment with bactericidal drugs and protective immunity.
abstract: Monitoring the spread of mycobacterium in vivo using biophotonic imaging provides a fast, reliable and sensitive method to evaluate the distribution of the infection. Moreover, this technique allows for a significant reduction in the number of animals required in comparison to conventional anatomopathological studies. Here, we describe for the first time and validate the use of a luciferase-tagged recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG for non-invasive bioluminescent imaging of 1) bacterial dissemination in tissues, 2) the efficacy of treatment with anti-mycobacterial drugs and 3) the role of adaptive immune responses in controlling mycobacterial infection in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Karolinska Institute, Box 280, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Heuts
authors.forename: Berit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carow
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wigzell
authors.forename: Martin E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Rottenberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D051379:Mice; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D008156:Luciferases; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin