Dendritic spine loss deep in the neocortex and dendrite distortion with diffusion disturbances occur early in experimental pneumococcal meningitis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) meningitis is a serious disease with substantial lethality and long-term disability in survivors. Loss of synaptic staining in the superficial layers of the neocortex in rodent models and in humans, and pneumolysin (a major pneumococcal toxin)-dependent dendritic spine collapse in brain slices have been described. It remains unclear how deep in the neocortex more discrete changes are present, how soon after disease onset these changes occur, and whether other properties of dendrites are also affected.

Methods

Using a mouse model of pneumococcal meningitis, we studied changes in the neocortex shortly (3-6 h) after the onset of clinical symptoms via modified Golgi-Cox silver staining.

Results

Dendritic c

SUBMITTER: Baronti D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9871924 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature