Characterisation of a refined rat model of respiratory infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the effect of ciprofloxacin.
BACKGROUND
We sought to characterise a refined rat model of respiratory infection with P. aeruginosa over an acute time course and test the antibiotic ciprofloxacin.


METHODS
Agar beads were prepared ± SPAN(®)80. Rats were inoculated with sterile agar beads or those containing 10(5) colony forming units (cfu) P. aeruginosa via intra-tracheal dosing. Bacterial load and inflammatory parameters were measured.


RESULTS
Differing concentrations of SPAN(®) 80 modified median agar bead diameter and reduced particle size distribution. Beads prepared with 0.01% v/v SPAN(®)80 were evaluated in vivo. A stable lung infection up to 7 days post infection was achieved and induced BALF neutrophilia 2 and 5 days post infection. Ciprofloxacin (50mg/kg) significantly attenuated infection without affecting the inflammatory parameters measured.


CONCLUSIONS
SPAN(®) 80 can control the particle size and lung distribution of agar beads and P. aeruginosa-embedded beads prepared with 0.01%v/v SPAN(®)80 can induce infection and inflammation over 7 days.
Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Wimblehurst Road, Horsham, West Sussex, UK. ellie.growcott@novartis.com
E J
EJ
Growcott
A
A
Coulthard
R
R
Amison
E L
EL
Hardaker
V
V
Saxena
L
L
Malt
P
P
Jones
A
A
Grevot
C
C
Poll
C
C
Osborne
K H
KH
Banner
D000208:Acute Disease; D000362:Agar; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058491:Bacterial Load; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006601:Hexoses / Q000494:pharmacology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D010316:Particle Size; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D006601:Hexoses; C018665:sorbitan monooleate; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D000362:Agar