Effect of sublethal gamma radiation on host defenses in experimental scrub typhus

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Infect. Immun.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5326343

Kelly, D J; Rees, J C

The effect of sublethal gamma radiation on inbred mice chronically infected with scrub typhus rickettsiae was examined. Inbred mice which were inoculated with the Gilliam or Karp strain of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi by the subcutaneous route harbored the infection for at least 1 year. Irradiation of these animals at 12 or 52 weeks postinoculation with normally sublethal levels induced a significantly higher percentage of rickettsemic mice (recrudescence) than was seen in the unirradiated, similarly infected control animals. In addition, sublethal irradiation at 12 weeks induced a quantitative increase in total rickettsiae. Homologous antibody titers to the rickettsiae were examined for 5 weeks after irradiation to determine the role of the humoral response in radiation-induced recrudescence. Unirradiated, infected mice showed consistent titers of about 320 throughout the 5-week observation period, and the titer was not affected by exposure of up to 500 rads of gamma radiation. Drug dose-dependent radioprotection and modification of recrudescence was noted in infected, irradiated mice treated with the antiradiation compound S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl phosphorothioic acid. The results of this investigation supported the conclusion that the recrudescence of a chronic rickettsial infection in the appropriate host after immunological impairment due to gamma radiation can result in an acute, possibly lethal rickettsemia.

• Research Organization: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 5326343
• Journal Information: Infect. Immun.; (United States), Journal Name: Infect. Immun.; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN INFIB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
IMMUNITY
IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
INFECTIVITY
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRRADIATION
MAMMALS
MICE
MICROORGANISMS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM
RICKETTSIAE
RICKETTSIAL DISEASES
RODENTS
SEPTICEMIA
SUBLETHAL IRRADIATION
TISSUES
TYPHUS
VERTEBRATES