Characterization of Leptospira infection in suckling and weaning rat pups

Abstract Rats are known to be the most important reservoirs of Leptospira spp. However, the leptospiral dose and age at which rats become resistant to Leptospira infection are not yet well elucidated. Aimed to characterize leptospirosis in rat pups, we found that suckling pups (4-, 7-, and 14-day ol...

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Published in:Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases microbiology and infectious diseases, 2015-02, Vol.38, p.47-55
Main Authors: Muslich, Lisa Tenriesa, Villanueva, Sharon Y.A.M, Amran, Muhammad Yunus, Segawa, Takaya, Saito, Mitsumasa, Yoshida, Shin-ichi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergy and Immunology
Animal model
Animals
Animals, Suckling
Disease Models, Animal
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Infectious Disease
Leptospira
Leptospira - pathogenicity
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis - microbiology
Leptospirosis - pathology
Maintenance host
Rats
Resistance
Susceptibility
Weaning
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Summary:Abstract Rats are known to be the most important reservoirs of Leptospira spp. However, the leptospiral dose and age at which rats become resistant to Leptospira infection are not yet well elucidated. Aimed to characterize leptospirosis in rat pups, we found that suckling pups (4-, 7-, and 14-day old) are susceptible to leptospires and resistance starts from the weaning age (23-day old). Susceptibility of rat pups was also affected by the infecting dose of the organisms. Jaundice, decrease in body weight, and neurological symptoms prior to moribundity was evident in infected suckling pups. However, 23-day-old infected pups did not manifest any pathological changes and were able to survive the infection similar to adult rats. Based on these results, we propose the suckling rat pup as a novel animal model of human leptospirosis to investigate pathogenesis, development of host resistance, and the mechanisms involved in rats becoming maintenance hosts for leptospires.
ISSN:0147-9571
1878-1667
DOI:10.1016/j.cimid.2014.11.001