Kinetics ofBartonella birtlesiiInfection in Experimentally Infected Mice and Pathogenic Effect on Reproductive Functions

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Abstract
The kinetics of infection and the pathogenic effects on the reproductive function of laboratory mice infected withBartonella birtlesiirecovered from anApodemusspecies are described.B. birtlesiiinfection, as determined by bacteremia, occurred in BALB/c mice inoculated intravenously. Inoculation with a low-dose inoculum (1.5 × 103CFU) induced bacteremia in only 75% of the mice compared to all of the mice inoculated with higher doses (≥1.5 × 104). Mice became bacteremic for at least 5 weeks (range, 5 to 8 weeks) with a peak ranging from 2 × 103to 105CFU/ml of blood. The bacteremia level was significantly higher in virgin females than in males but the duration of bacteremia was similar. In mice infected before pregnancy (n= 20), fetal loss was evaluated by enumerating resorption and fetal death on day 18 of gestation. The fetal death and resorption percentage of infected mice was 36.3% versus 14.5% for controls (P< 0.0001). Fetal suffering was evaluated by weighing viable fetuses. The weight of viable fetuses was significantly lower for infected mice than for uninfected mice (P< 0.0002). Transplacental transmission ofBartonellawas demonstrated since 76% of the fetal resorptions tested was culture positive forB. birtlesii. The histopathological analysis of the placentas of infected mice showed vascular lesions in the maternal placenta, which could explain the reproductive disorders observed. BALB/c mice appeared to be a useful model for studyingBartonellainfection. This study provides the first evidence of reproductive disorders in mice experimentally infected with aBartonellastrain originating from a wild rodent.