Induced atrophic rhinitis in rats.

Infections with Bordetella bronchiseptica and Pasteurella multocida were inducted in newborn specific-pathogen-free rats. Turbinate atrophy was quantified by measuring the length of the osseous core of the ventral turbinates. Bordetella bronchiseptica readily colonized the nasal cavity. Inoculated rats developed serum agglutinating antibodies to B bronchiseptica. Turbinate atrophy, correlating with a severe inflammatory reaction, was observed after dual inoculation with B bronchiseptica or after a single inoculation when the inoculum contained relatively large numbers of B bronchiseptica. Pasteurella multocida only rarely colonized the nasal cavity, even after prior instillation of weak acetic acid solution or B bronchiseptica.