Bacterial loads and antibody responses in BALB/c mice infected with low and high doses of Burkholderia pseudomallei.
Profiles of Burkholderia pseudomallei persistence and antibodies in blood, spleen, liver, and lungs of infected BALB/c mice were investigated. Animals were infected intraperitoneally with low (6 colony-forming units) or high (230 colony-forming units) doses of B. pseudomallei. In the high-dose infected group, bacteria were found by culture in 100% of blood, liver, spleen and lung samples at 24 and 48 hours after infections; blood samples were 100% positive by polymerase chain reaction after 60 hours. Antibody responses in the high-dose infected group were low. These responses were detected in the low-dose infected group after 5 days, peaked at 7-14 days, and showed persistence until 28 days post-infection. Bacterial loads and antibody profiles varied according to the level of bacterial infections. This kinetic study, although in animals, provides crucial knowledge that might be useful for the development of a sensitive and specific diagnostic assay for patients with melioidosis.
Department of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry, and Melioidosis Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Nuttiya
N
Srisurat
Rasana W
RW
Sermswan
Unchalee
U
Tatawasart
Surasakdi
S
Wongratanacheewin
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D016957:Burkholderia pseudomallei; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D008554:Melioidosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial