Experimental Mixed Infection With Yersinia Enterocolitica and Listeria Monocytogenes in Guinea Pigs

Abstract

Purpose: Consuming even low numbers of the foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocyto-genes, places the elderly at risk for severe illness. e impact of immunomodulation on the development of listerial infection within a young and aged population aer low dose challenge with L. monocytogenes was investigated. Methods: Animals received daily supplementation of vitamin E for a period of 21 days to promote immunomodulation, and were then orally challenged with 100 CFU of L. mono-cytogenes. Levels of CD8 + , CD4 + and CD3 + T cells were used as markers to determine the inuence of daily supplementation with vitamin E on immune response; the spleen and liver were harvested for microbiological analysis. Results: Higher numbers of animals became infected in control groups than in vitamin E-treated group. During the post-challenge period, vitamin E-treated aged animals showed faster CD8 + T cell proliferation than control aged animals. Conclusion: Daily supplementation with vitamin E was more benecial in young compared with aged animals in mitigating listerial infection. Results suggest exposure to even low numbers of L. monocytogenes can result in infection in both healthy young and aged populations. Clin Inest Med 2012; 35 (5): E309-E321.

Experimental Mixed Infection of Rabbits with Yersinia enterocolitica and Listeria monocytogenes

“…After experimental mixed infection the number of aMa was augmented a week after the beginning of infection, accompanied with a strong reduction in the number of pMa during the whole period of examination. A similar dynamics in the numbers of aMa and pMa was observed in the case of experimental mixed infection with Y. enterocolitica 0:3 and L. monocytogenes 4b in guinea pigs (Najdenski et al, 1998b).…”

“…Experimental mixed infections with Y. enterocolitica and L. monocytogenes has been performed in guinea pigs and pigs (Najdenski et al., 1998b; Vesselinova et al., 1998) and a synergism has been proved between both pathogen agents. Each possesses different and quite specific virulence factors, which are responsible for their behaviour in vitro and in vivo .…”