Production of Haemophilus influenzae b meningitis in infant rats by intraperitoneal inoculation

Abstract

Sprague Dawley rats have a marked age related susceptibility to H. influenzae type b that does not correlate with serum bactericidal activity. 80% of 5 day old animals that survive to 48 hr after an intraperitoneal inoculation of a mean lethal dose of bacteria have histologically documented meningitis. Animals surviving the inoculations as infants, manifest cerebral dysfunction as adults. This model should facilitate experimental study of bacterial meningitis.