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Infection and Immunity logoLink to Infection and Immunity
. 1983 Sep;41(3):1099–1104. doi: 10.1128/iai.41.3.1099-1104.1983

Virulence of different Pseudomonas species in a burned mouse model: tissue colonization by Pseudomonas cepacia.

G B Stover, D R Drake, T C Montie
PMCID: PMC264613  PMID: 6885156

Abstract

The virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other pseudomonads was examined in a burned mouse model. P. aeruginosa M-2 was highly virulent causing 100% mortality by 38 h with an injection of 10(2) CFU by either a subcutaneous or intraperitoneal route. Subcutaneous injection of 10(2) CFU revealed rapid multiplication of the bacteria at the burn wound with 10(8) CFU/g detectable in the burned skin by 28 h postinjection, 10(5) CFU/g of liver, and 10(3) CFU/ml of blood. Non-P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were markedly less virulent; an injection of greater than or equal to 10(7) CFU caused less than or equal to 60% lethality. P. cepacia SMH colonized the burned skin of thermally injured mice, persisting at levels of 10(7) to 10(8) CFU/g of burned skin after an initial injection of 10(5) CFU. P. cepacia persisted in the burn wound for at least 3 weeks. No organ invasion was detectable throughout this period. Studies with an additional clinical isolate of P. cepacia yielded similar results. An injection of a 10(2) CFU dose revealed that the level of persistence is dose dependent. Results suggest that the tenacious persistence of P. cepacia in the burn wound may provide a model for the study of persistent colonization and infection in a compromised host.

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Selected References

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