A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization

Summary

The purpose of this protocol is to imitate human group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaginal colonization in a murine model. This method may be used to investigate host immune responses and bacterial factors contributing to GBS vaginal persistence, as well as to test therapeutic strategies.

Abstract

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus, GBS), is a Gram-positive, asymptomatic colonizer of the human gastrointestinal tract and vaginal tract of 10 - 30% of adults. In immune-compromised individuals, including neonates, pregnant women, and the elderly, GBS may switch to an invasive pathogen causing sepsis, arthritis, pneumonia, and meningitis. Because GBS is a leading bacterial pathogen of neonates, current prophylaxis is comprised of late gestation screening for GBS vaginal colonization and subsequent peripartum antibiotic treatment of GBS-positive mothers. Heavy GBS vaginal burden is a risk factor for both neonatal disease and colonization. Unfortunately, little is known about the host and bacterial factors that promote or permit GBS vaginal colonization. This protocol describes a technique for establishing persistent GBS vaginal colonization using a single β-estradiol pre-treatment and daily sampling to determine bacterial load. It further details methods to administer additional therapies or reagents of interest and to collect vaginal lavage fluid and reproductive tract tissues. This mouse model will further the understanding of the GBS-host interaction within the vaginal environment, which will lead to potential therapeutic targets to control maternal vaginal colonization during pregnancy and to prevent transmission to the vulnerable newborn. It will also be of interest to increase our understanding of general bacterial-host interactions in the female vaginal tract.

Introduction

Streptococcus agalactiae, group B Streptococcus (GBS), is an encapsulated, Gram-positive bacterium which is frequently isolated from the gut and genitourinary tract of healthy adults. In the 1970s, GBS emerged as the leading agent of infectious neonatal mortality, with over 7,000 cases of neonatal disease annually¹. Early-onset GBS disease (EOD) occurs in the first hours or days of life, arises as pneumonia or respiratory distress, and often develops into sepsis, whereas late-onset disease (LOD) ensues after several months and presents with bacteremia, which frequently advances to meningitis². As of 2002, the Centers for Disease....

Protocol

All animal work was approved by the Office of Lab Animal Care at San Diego State University and conducted under accepted veterinary standards. Female mice, age 8 - 16 weeks, were used for the development of this method.

1. Preparation and Intraperitoneal Injection of β-estradiol

1. Measure out β-estradiol (0.5 mg/mouse) on weigh paper while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). CAUTION: β-estradiol can be absorbed through the skin and mucosal surfaces.
2. Transfer β-estradiol to a 15-ml conical tube and vortex until all lumps are removed and the β-estradiol is a fine powder. Draw up se....

Results

During the development of this model, multiple observations were made regarding factors that affect the duration of GBS vaginal colonization. To determine how estrous stage at inoculation impacts GBS bacterial persistence, mice were staged on the day of inoculation via vaginal lavage fluid. Figure 1 illustrates the four stages of the mouse estrous cycle, as determined by wet-mount vaginal lavage fluid, a well-established method²⁹. Mice were divided into groups .......

Discussion

To further the advancement of the understanding of GBS interactions with the both the host and other microbes within the context of the host, an animal model is required. This work describes the technical aspects of establishing GBS vaginal colonization in mice. This protocol achieves > 90% colonization of mice without the use of anesthetics to inoculate bacteria or to collect swab samples, immune-suppressants to enable colonization, vaginal pre-washing, or additives to thicken the inoculum. Moreover, this model demo.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Sesame oil	Sigma Aldrich	S3547-250ML
β-Estradiol	Sigma Aldrich	E8875-1G	CAUTION: Wear appropriate PPE. β-estradiol can be absorbed through the skin and mucosal surfaces.
200 μl gel loading pipette tips	USA Scientific	1252-0610
Urethro-genital, sterile, calcium alginate swabs	Puritan	25-801 A 50
CHROMagar StrepB	DRG International	SB282
Todd Hewitt Broth	Hardy Diagnostics	7161C
18 G, 1.5 inch needles	BD	305199
26 G, 0.5 inch needles	BD	305111
10 ml syringes	BD	309604
1 ml syringes	BD	309659
0.45 μm PVDF syringe filters	Whatman	6900-2504
Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Salt Solution 1x	Corning	21-031-CV