Pulmonary and systemic inflammation in a domestic animal model of respiratory chlamydophila psittaci infection: Evaluation of dose-response relationships

This study aimed to evaluate dose-response relationships of pulmonary and systemic inflammation with respect to a new model of respiratory Chlamydophila (C.) psittaci infection introduced recently. Four infection dosages (inclusion forming units of strain DC 15) were administered intrabronchially per calf: 106 (n = 4), 107 (n = 4), 108 (n = 4), 109 (n = 2). Control animals received medium (n = 4) or the inactivated strain (108; n = 6). Pulmonary inflammation was assessed by analysing broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) 2-3 days post inoculation (dpi). As biomarkers of systemic inflammation, acute phase proteins (LBP=lipopolysaccharide binding protein, Hp= haptoglobin, CRP) were measured in serum samples.