Difference in Resistance to Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection in Mice

• Published in: Laboratory animal research Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 91 - 98
• Main Authors: Jeong, D.G., Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Jeong, E.S., Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Seo, J.H., Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Heo, S.H., Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Choi, Y.K., Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 한국실험동물학회 01.06.2011; Korean Association for Laboratory Animal Science
• Subjects: Genetic background; knockout mouse; Original; STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE; 수의학; Genetic background; knockout mouse; Streptococcus pneumoniae
• ISSN: 1738-6055; 2233-7660
• DOI: 10.5625/lar.2011.27.2.91

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major pathogen that causes various diseases, including pneumonia and sepsis, as millions of people suffer from S. pneumoniae infection worldwide. To better understand the immune and inflammatory responses to S. pneumoniae, we produced murine models. To investigate the differences between intranasal and intratracheal infection, BALB/c mice were infected with S. pneumoniae D39 intranasally or intratracheally. Mice showed no significant differences in survival rates, body weight changes, and bacterial loads. To investigate resistance and susceptibility among mouse strains, BALB/c, C57BL/6J, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) knockout, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) knockout mice were infected with S. pneumoniae D39 via intranasal or intravenous routes. In this study, BALB/c and C57BL/6J mice were resistant, IL-10 knockout mice were intermediate, and TNF-α knokout mice were susceptible to S. pneumoniae infection. These data show that intranasal and intratracheal infection induced similar results after S. pneumoniae infection, and the genetic background of mice must be considered when studying S. pneumoniae infection in vivo.