10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Abstract View
B. anthracis Spore Persistence Following Aerosol Challenge in New Zealand White Rabbits
SARA RUIZ, Aysegul Nalca, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
Abstract Number: 1520 Working Group: Infectious Bioaerosol
Abstract Bacillus anthracis spore persistence has been well documented in human clinical cases and animal models of disease. The underlying mechanism of spore persistence has yet to be elucidated although is likely due to an interplay between host immunological factors and bacterial virulence determinants. New Zealand white rabbits were challenged via aerosol with B. anthracis at a uniformly lethal dose followed by treatment. A subset of experimental animals were euthanized at one and 24 hour post-exposure to ascertain lung deposition and dissemination. Challenged animals were monitored 90 days post-exposure for clinical signs of disease to include respiratory rates, activity level and general appearance. Lung, spleen and lymph node tissue was recovered when an animal was found moribund or at end of study to assess spore persistence following treatment and apparent resolution of disease. This study will establish a model in which to correlate differing treatment regiments and spore persistence in an inhalational model.