Comparison of Streptococcus zooepidemicus and influenza virus pathogenicity in mice by three pulmonary exposure routes.

Pulmonary infections may be induced in experimental animals by using several exposure routes. Inhalation of microbial aerosols is often viewed as the most relevant exposure route, although the comparability of either intranasal (i.n.) or intratracheal (i.t.) inoculation to aerosol inhalation is unclear. In these studies, the infection of mice with either Streptococcus zooepidemicus or influenza virus was compared following i.n., i.t., or aerosol challenge. The 50% lethal dose was determined by each exposure route for both microbes, and the organ clearance of a 50% lethal dose was determined. Mice were as or more sensitive to bacterial or viral infection following i.n. or i.t. instillation as compared with aerosol challenge. Organ clearance patterns of virus or bacteria varied slightly with exposure route.