Effects of B. bacteriovorus (ATCC™ 1534) Injection on Some Serum Chemistry Parameters in Rats Injected with P. multocida

Abstract

To determine effects of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus on some serum chemistry parameters, and evaluate its ability to regulate in vivo damage and control pathogen activity, twelve Sprague Dawley rats were injected subcutaneously, once daily, with 1 x 108/ml B. bacteriovorus (ATCC™ 1534) in saline and some serum
chemistry parameters measured. Another set of 12 Sprague Dawley rats were also injected once daily with 108/ml of the pathogen P. multocida. Further, 12 other rats were injected with 1 x 108/ml each of B. bacteriovorus and then with P. multocida. All injections were for 168 hours. A group of 12 rats were injected intramuscularly once, at collection of blood samples, with 2 mg/kg of Ketamine Hydrochloride, used as anaesthesia. A final group of 12 rats, not injected with any of the bacteria or anaesthetic served as controls. Blood was collected from all rats for analysis by cardiac puncture. Though there were instances when serum chemistry concentrations were higher on injections with both B. bacteriovorus and P. multocida, compared with rats injected with only P. multocida or the controls, findings showed that B. bacteriovorus injected into rats which had previously been injected with P. multocida led to lower levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine when compared with concentrations in rats injected with only P. multocida. Mortality was reduced by 88% in rats injected with P. multocida and B. bacteriovorus compared with those injected with only P. multocida. It is concluded that B. bacteriovorus effectively mitigated damage caused by P. multocida in rats.