Murine Corneal Response to Heat-Inactivated Pseudomonas aeruginosa

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Abstract
The corneal response to administration of heat-inactivated Pseudomonas aeruginosa was examined in both cyclophosphamide-treated and untreated Swiss-Webster and BALB/c mice. 1 day after administration of the dead cells in non-drug-treated mice, an extensive intrastromal neutrophilic (PMN) response was observed in Swiss-Webster animals, whereas BALB/c mice responded similarly, but with fewer numbers of cells. Cyclophosphamide-treated mice of either strain receiving dead cells, on the other hand, did not mount a detectable PMN response, and no morphological evidence of corneal damage was observed. This study suggests (1) that corneal damage by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice depends not only on the presence of viable organisms, but also on the influx of PMNs, and (2) that neither PMNs nor bacterial endotoxin (dead cells) appear able to induce severe corneal keratitis and ulceration in mice