For the purpose to determine initial focus of streptococcal invasion an experiment was studied by aerosol infection of group A stretococci type 12 in rabbits.
In this study suspension of living streptococci and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled streptococci were used at the nebulizer concentration of 10
9 colony forming unit/ml. These suspensions were exposed 20 ml per rabbit for 120 min.and infected rabbit were sacrificed at 2 hours to 14 days after the exposure.
Streptococci were recovered in the throats or lungs of rabbits within 3 days after the exposure on blood agar plates. In the heart and liver of one rabbit streptococci were cultured but not in the blood and other organs of other rabbits.
Histologically adherence and presence of bacteria were proved on the pharyngeal mucosa of rabbits within 3 days after the exposure by light microscopy and were proved on the tonsillar surface, tracheal mucosa and lungs of rabbits within 24 hours after the exposure by fluorescent microscopy.
By scanning electron microscopy adherence phenomenon of streptococci was showed on the pharyngeal mucosa but not on the laryngeal and tracheal mucosa.Cilia of the tracheal mucosa of the rabbit after 2 hours of exposure were disarranged and decreased.
By a direct immunofluorescent technique, staining with FITC labeled rabbit y-globulin anti whole group A streptococcal antigen, fluorescent particles or deposits were observed on the pharyngeal mucosal surfaces of the rabbit sacrificed at 2 hours after the exposure and phagocytic cells with diffuse fluorescent cytoplasm or fluorescent particles were showed in the lungs of all experimental rabbits.
From these results of the experiment, it became clear that rabbits inhaled streptococci to the lungs in these aerosol methods, because bacteria were recovered in the throats and lungs within 24 hours after the exposure. But as there was no bacterial multiplication or suppurative inflammation in these organs, it was thought that streptococci were treated with some defence mechanisms in each mucosa.
Histologically the phenomena of the adherence of streptococci were found in the throats and tonsils, and mucociliary clearance in the larynx and trachea and also the phagocytosis in the bronchi and the lungs were found.
It was supposed that there are differences of tissue tropinisms and defence mechanisms against streptococci among each mucosa.
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