Table 4.
Clinical scoring parameters for cumulative scoring of S. suis-infected mice.
| Score |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Body weight | Constant or gain | >5% weight loss | > 20% weight loss |
| Coat | Flat and glossy | Rougher | Bloated |
| Breathing | Rhythmic | Rapid | Rapid and abdominal |
| Dehydration | Normal skin elasticity | Reduced skin elasticity | Persisting skin fold |
| Bearing | Normal | Curved back | Huddled |
| Eyes | Normal | Moderately squeezed | Squeezed and swollen |
| activity | Normal | Reduced activity | Apathy |
| locomotion | Normal | Reduced coordination | Unsteady, apraxia |
The cumulative clinical score was defined as the sum of the clinical scoring for eight parameters. Mice were euthanized for animal welfare reasons at HEP when they endured severe clinical signs (defined as: 2 days in a row a score of 2 on 3 of the 8 points) or in case of severe weight loss (>20%).