Acute Streptococcus pneumoniae lung infection: Mouse model and characterisation of the immune response.

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a globally important pathogen. We describe a mouse model of S. pneumoniae respiratory tract infection through intranasal administration of bacteria which progress to bacteraemia and systemic disease. This model therefore allows assessment of different stages of infection and can be used to study local and systemic immune responses to vaccines and other treatment strategies.