Lethality after Intratracheal Challenge of SEB (Staphylococcal enterotoxin B) inDutch Rabbits

摘要

Selecting an animal species for studying SEB-induced toxicity has been difficultdue to highly variable inter-species susceptibility. Approximately 20 years ago, non-human primates exposed intravenously or by inhalation of SEB were commonly used. Unfortunately, experiments with primates have been restricted because of limited toxin (SEB) supplies, as well as the high costs and animal use considerations for non-human primate studies. The purpose of this study was to develop techniques for inducing SEB toxicity from a pulmonary origin by direct intratracheal (IT) instillation in Dutch rabbits. Four doses of SEB (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg, N = 3-9/group) were administered. Body weights and rectal temperatures were measured at 4-5 hr intervals after IT SEB injection for 40 and 80 hr, respectively. A trend of initially elevated rectal temperature over 20 hr was observed, and body weights decreased significantly 20 hr after IT SEB