Experimental model ofKlebsiella infection in mice for studies on mechanisms of local immunity of the respiratory tract

Abstract

An experimental model in white mice, infected with a mildly virulent strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae, was elaborated for studies on local immunity of the respiratory tract. Instillation of klebsiella into the supralaryngeal space of anaesthetised animals proved to be more suitable than the commonly used method of intranasal infection. The strain administered by the supralaryngeal route, persisted in the lungs of most mice at approximately equal level 1 d after infection, in some animals it could be demonstrated even after 2-3 d. Using this model (based on various rates of lung clearance), one can demonstrate faster elimination of klebsiella after a local (supralaryngeal) than systemic (intraperitoneal) immunization with a heat-inactivated vaccine, prepared from a homologous strain of K. pneumoniae.

Experimental Chronic Pulmonary Infection in Mice Caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae

“…Since Sale and Wood (17) reported the induction of experimental pneumonia with K. pneumoniae in rats using the technique of intratracheal instillation, there have been numerous reports on the production and characteristics of experimental respiratory tract infection with K. pneumoniae, using mice (1,3,8,13), rats (2,5), or squirrel monkeys (3,4). However, these models are mostly concerned with acute infection.…”