Differential cytokine gene expression according to outcome in a hamster model of leptospirosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Parameters predicting the evolution of leptospirosis would be useful for clinicians, as well as to better understand severe leptospirosis, but are scarce and rarely validated. Because severe leptospirosis includes septic shock, similarities with predictors evidenced for sepsis and septic shock were studied in a hamster model.

Methodology/principal findings

Using an LD50 model of leptospirosis in hamsters, we first determined that 3 days post-infection was a time-point that allowed studying the regulation of immune gene expression and represented the onset of the clinical signs of the disease. In the absence of tools to assess serum concentrations of immune effectors in hamsters, we determined mRNA levels of various immune genes, especially cytokines, together with

SUBMITTER: Vernel-Pauillac F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2797601 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature