title: Role of the spleen in Bartonella spp. infection.
abstract: Bartonella spp. are intra-erythrocytic pathogens of mammals. In this study, we investigated the role of the spleen, and other tissue and organs in Bartonella infection. Using an in vivo model of mice infection by Bartonella birtlesii, we detected accumulation of bacteria in the spleen, with transient infection of the liver, but failed to detect any bacteria in brain or lymph nodes. We then compared bacteraemia in normal Balb/C mice and in splenectomized mice. Bacteraemia in splenectomized mice was 10-fold higher than in normal mice and lasted 2 weeks longer. In conclusion, the spleen seems to retain and filter infected erythrocytes rather than to be a sanctuary for chronic Bartonella infection.
authors.affiliation: USC INRA Bartonella et tiques, Anses, Maisons-Alfort, France.
authors.forename: Hong Kuan
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Le Rhun
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lecuelle
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Le Naour
authors.forename: Muriel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vayssier-Taussat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D058491:Bacterial Load; D001473:Bartonella / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013997:Time Factors