Contaminated water delivery as a simple and effective method of experimental Salmonella infection.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

In most infectious disease models, it is assumed that gavage needle infection is the most reliable means of pathogen delivery to the GI tract. However, this methodology can cause esophageal tearing and induces stress in experimental animals, both of which have the potential to impact early infection and the subsequent immune response.

Materials & methods

C57BL/6 mice were orally infected with virulent Salmonella Typhimurium SL1344 either by intragastric gavage preceded by sodium bicarbonate, or by contamination of drinking water.

Results

We demonstrate that water contamination delivery of Salmonella is equivalent to gavage inoculation in providing a consistent model of infection. Furthermore, exposure of mice to contaminated drinking water for as little as 4 h all

SUBMITTER: O'Donnell H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4942118 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature