Melioidosis: Pathogenesis and Immunity in Mice and Hamsters

[摘要] 1. 1. The resistance of mice and hamsters to the establishment of respiratory melioidosis by virulent Pseudomonas pseudomallei , strain 103–67, was increased 4- to 17-fold by subcutaneous (or respiratory) vaccination with certain live avirulent strains of this organism. Such vaccination had only a small effect on the resistance of mice to the progress of this disease once it was established, and even less effect in hamsters. The index of resistance to the establishment of respiratory melioidosis was the number of inhaled bacteria required to generate a single primary lesion. The indices of resistance to the progress of respiratory melioidosis were the rate of growth of bacteria in the tissues, their spread from their primary site, the pathologic character of the lesions, and the survival time of the host. The interrelationship of resistance to the establishment and resistance to the progress of infectious diseases, as well as their relative independence, is discussed with respect to both the native and acquired immunity of the host.2. 2. No significant difference was found between the number of early primary microscopic lesions and the number of subsequent, grossly visible lesions formed in mice following the inhalation of this virulent strain of P. pseudomallei . Cultural data were also consistent with the concept that the bacteria either were destroyed or inhibited soon after their inhalation, or produced continuously progressive lesions. This type of respiratory melioidosis in mice seems, therefore, to be an all-or-none disease; that of hamsters appears similar. The most virulent strains of this micro-organism that affect man may also cause a disease of this character.

[学科分类] 生物科学（综合）