Induction & resolution of lobar pneumonia following intranasal instillation with Klebsiella pneumoniae in mice.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae is important due to its high morbidity and mortality, especially in context of nosocomial infections. Many experimental studies have focused on the induction and progression of infection till it peaks, but the process of resolution has not been described. In the present study, we successfully attempted to establish an acute respiratory tract infection model in BALB/c strain of mice with K. pneumoniae employing a simple, reproducible intranasal instillation method. METHODS: Experimental pneumonia was induced by two strains of K. pneumoniae in BALB/c mice following intranasal instillation, and the course of pneumonia was studied by bacteriological and histopathological evaluation of the lung tissue. RESULTS: Both the strains were similar in their ability to induce infection which peaked on day 3, post infection. However, a strain dependent difference in relation to bacterial load and the process of resolution was observed. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The present study provides a model of lobar pneumonia produced by K. pneumoniae which can be useful for studying therapeutic and preventive interventions.