Lab Anim Res.  2011 Mar;27(1):59-62. 10.5625/lar.2011.27.1.62.

Cronobacter sakazakii Infection Induced Fatal Clinical Sequels Including Meningitis in Neonatal ICR Mice

• Lee HA
• Hong S
• Park H
• Kim H
• Kim O

• KMID: 2391860
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5625/lar.2011.27.1.62

Abstract

Cronobacter sakazakii (C. sakazakii), formerly Enterobacter sakazakii, is an emerging pathogen associated with the ingestion of contaminated reconstituted formula that causes serious illnesses such as bacteremia, septicemia, necrotizing enterocolitis, meningitis and death in low-birth-weight preterm neonatal infants. The objective of this study was to develop an animal model for human neonatal C. sakazakii infections. We acquired timed-pregnant ICR mice and allowed them to give birth naturally. On postnatal day 3.5, each pup was administered orally a total dose of approximately 107 CFU C. sakazakii strain 3439. Mice were observed twice daily for morbidity and mortality. At postnatal day 10.5, the remaining pups were euthanized, and brain, liver, and cecum were excised and analyzed for the presence of C. sakazakii. C. sakazakii was isolated from cecum and other tissues in inoculated mice. In the tissues of C. sakazakii infected mice, meningitis and gliosis were detected in brain. In this study, we confirmed the neonatal ICR mice may be used a very effective animal model for human neonatal C. sakazakii infections.

Keyword

Cronobacter sakazakii; Enterobacter sakazakii; infant; animal model; ICR mouse

MeSH Terms

Animals
Bacteremia
Brain
Cecum
Cronobacter
Cronobacter sakazakii
Eating
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing
Gliosis
Humans
Infant
Liver
Meningitis
Mice
Mice, Inbred ICR
Models, Animal
Parturition
Sepsis
Sprains and Strains

Figure

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  Figure 1 Histopathological findings of the cerebrum of Cronobacter sakazakii-infected mice. A: gliosis (black arrows), bar=100 µm. B: meningitis (black arrows), bar=50 µm. Hematoxylin-eosin stain.

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  Figure 2 Histopathological findings of the liver of Cronobacter sakazakii-infected mice. A: hepatocytic degeneration (black arrows), bar=50 µm. B: inflammation (black arrows), bar=50 µm. Hematoxylin-eosin stain.

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  Figure 3 Histopathological findings of the cecum of Cronobacter sakazakii-infected mice. A: inflammation (black arrows), bar=100 µm. B: degeneration (black arrows) and bacterial colonies (white arrows), bar=100 µm. Hematoxylin-eosin stain.

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