Kinetics of Placental Infection by Different Smooth Brucella Strains in Mice
Loading...
Files
Date
2022
Authors
Poveda-Urkixo, Irati
Ramírez, Gustavo A.
Grilló, María Jesús
Other authors
Impact
Export
Share
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Abortion and reproductive failures induced by Brucella are the main symptoms of animal
brucellosis. Laboratory animal models are essential tools of research to study the Brucella pathogenesis
before experimentation in natural hosts. To extend the existing knowledge, we studied B. melitensis
16M (virulent) and Rev1 (attenuated) as well as B. suis bv2 infections in pregnant mice. Here, we
report new information about kinetics of infection (in spleens, blood, placentas, vaginal shedding,
and foetuses), serum cytokine profiles, and histopathological features in placentas and the litter
throughout mice pregnancy. Both B. melitensis strains showed a marked placental tropism and
reduced viability of pups (mainly in 16M infections), which was preceded by an intense Th1-immune
response during placental development. In contrast, B. suis bv2 displayed lower placental tropism,
mild proinflammatory immune response, and scarce bacterial transmission to the litter, thus allowing
foetal viability. Overall, our studies revealed three different smooth Brucella patterns of placental and
foetal pathogenesis in mice, providing a useful animal model for experimental brucellosis.
Citation
Journal or Serie
Pathogens, 2022, vol. 11, núm. 3, art. 279.