Research Report 2 : The development of a secondary infection model in mice with pathogens influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Rozenbaum, R.T. (2012) Research Report 2 : The development of a secondary infection model in mice with pathogens influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Master's Thesis / Essay, Biology.

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Abstract

A secondary infection is an infection by a microorganism that follows after an initial infection by another kind of microorganism. Secondary infections are responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality. A Streptococcus pneumoniae secondary infection is often seen after an influenza infection. Despite vaccination for both pathogens, secondary infections still affect humans. We want to try if combi-vaccination (one vaccine against two pathogens) can be used as an important strategy to prevent secondary infections. Therefore, a mouse model had to be created for secondary infection with pathogens influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae. We wanted to create a model in which separate infection with the two pathogens would not lead to disease, but the combination of the two pathogens would be lethal. In this study, we set up a secondary infection model for influenza (PR8) and S. pneumoniae (TIGR4). First, we selected doses of both pathogens which did not cause disease symptoms, but did induce seroconversion. The dose used for PR8, resulted in weight loss and an IgG titer against PR8. For the TIGR4, measuring of antibodies failed, and so we used three doses in which animals would not get symptoms of disease. The doses were combined in a model of secondary infection. Results of secondary infected mice with TIGR4 show severe weight loss and bacteremia in most secondary infected mice, what indicates the secondary infection model causes dead in most of the mice. 26 out of 41 secondary infected mice showed bacteremia after secondary infection. Our results show that mice are more vulnerable for S. pneumoniae strain TIGR4, when challenged 7 days before with influenza strain PR8. With this model, the road is open for research about combi-vaccination against influenza and S. pneumoniae. When an effective combi-vaccine can be developed, it can reduce both morbidity and mortality caused by secondary infections.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 07:52
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 07:52
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/10900

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