10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Abstract View
Development of an Inhalational Animal Model of Q Fever
SARA RUIZ, Aysegul Nalca, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
Abstract Number: 1518 Working Group: Infectious Bioaerosol
Abstract Until recently, Coxiella burnetii research was hampered by its obligate intracellular nature and inability to be propagated outside of mammalian cells. With the advent of an axenic growth system, many avenues are now able to be pursued. Characterization of the bacterial stock is essential prior to utilization in animal experimentation. Four strains of C. burnetii (Nine Mile, Q229-K, RSA334, and Henzerling) were examined for viability, purity, and morphology. Due to the robust growth of Nine Mile in comparison to the other strains, it was chosen as the best candidate to proceed with for future studies. Sham aerosols were performed and demonstrated the ability to deliver aerosolized C. burnetii with particles with a mass median diameter capable of depositing in the lower airways across numerous species. A comparative study between A/J and C57Bl/6 mice demonstrated that all aerosol challenged mice had clinical signs to include weight loss and temperature changes. Bacterial DNA was recovered in the lung, liver and spleen with the highest burden reported in the spleen. Cynomolgus macaques were found to be a sensitive model in which all challenged animals developed a dose dependent respiratory illness. Lethal disease was induced in animals receiving the highest dose. Future experimentation is building upon the foundation of the characterization work to develop an inhalational non-human primate model of Q fever for future medical countermeasure screening.