title: Animal Models for the Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Prevention of Infection by Bacillus anthracis.
abstract: This article reviews the characteristics of the major animal models utilized for studies on Bacillus anthracis and highlights their contributions to understanding the pathogenesis and host responses to anthrax and its treatment and prevention. Advantages and drawbacks associated with each model, to include the major models (murine, guinea pig, rabbit, nonhuman primate, and rat), and other less frequently utilized models, are discussed. Although the three principal forms of anthrax are addressed, the main focus of this review is on models for inhalational anthrax. The selection of an animal model for study is often not straightforward and is dependent on the specific aims of the research or test. No single animal species provides complete equivalence to humans; however, each species, when used appropriately, can contribute to a more complete understanding of anthrax and its etiologic agent.
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Welkos
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bozue
authors.affiliation: Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Twenhafel
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cote
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control