Diarrhea as a cause of mortality in a mouse model of infectious colitis
2008

Diarrhea and Mortality in Mice with Infectious Colitis

Sample size: 37 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Diana Borenshtein, Rebecca C. Fry, Elizabeth B. Groff, Prashant R. Nambiar, Vincent J. Carey, James G. Fox, David B. Schauer

Primary Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Hypothesis

Mortality in C. rodentium-infected susceptible mice is associated with impaired intestinal ion transport.

Conclusion

The study found that mortality in susceptible mice infected with C. rodentium is linked to impaired intestinal ion transport, leading to severe diarrhea and dehydration.

Supporting Evidence

  • 462 probe sets were differentially expressed between uninoculated resistant and susceptible mice.
  • 5,123 probe sets were differentially expressed in response to C. rodentium infection.
  • Electrolyte analysis revealed significant reductions in serum chloride and sodium in susceptible mice.

Takeaway

Some mice get really sick and die from a germ because their bodies can't keep the right balance of salt and water, which makes them lose too much fluid.

Methodology

The study used microarray analysis to profile gene expression in the colons of susceptible and resistant mice before and after infection with C. rodentium.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in the selection of mouse strains and the interpretation of gene expression data.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on two mouse strains, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other models.

Participant Demographics

The study involved inbred FVB/N and outbred Swiss Webster mice.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/gb-2008-9-8-r122

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