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An examination of a rabbit model of liquefaction induced by Mycobacterium |
WANG Ming-zhu,SHI Da-zhong,Yang Ai-jun,JIAO Zhi-gang, Zhu Bing-dong, ZHANG Ying |
Lanzhou Center for Tuberculosis Research/Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China |
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Abstract Objective In order to investigate the mechanism of tuberculosis pathology, in particular the mechanism of liquefaction, studies are conducted to stablish a tuberculosis pathology model in rabbit skin using Mycobacterium bovis attenuated strain BCG, Mycobacterium tuberculosis avirulent strain H37Ra, and Mycobacterium smegmatis( M. smegmatis) . Methods BCG, H37Ra, and M. smegmatis were injected separately into the flank of New Zealand white rabbits by intradermal route twice every one and half months. Fourteen days after the last injection, lesions were removed for further histological analysis. Results Apparent liquefaction and ulceration were produced in the skin of rabbits injected with high dose( 5 ×106CFU/ml) of BCG, H37Ra, and M. smegmatis, with ulceration happening around 10 days after the first injection and three days after second immunization. The inflammation induced by BCG was stronger than the lesion induced by H37Ra, and the latter was stronger than that induced by M. smegmatis. Moderate( 5 ×104CFU/ml) and low doses( 5 ×102CFU/ml) of H37Ra and M. smegmatis did not induce obvious lesions, while the moderate and low doses of BCG induced granulomas. Conclusion High dose of BCG, H37Ra and M. smegmatis could induce caseous necrosis and liquefaction in rabbit skin. These results demonstrate the usefulness of this model for further pathogenesis research.
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Received: 28 October 2008
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Corresponding Authors:
Zhu Bing-dong; ZHANG Ying
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