Pyelonephritis in the Mouse. II. Vaccination Studies ∗

Abstract

Summary

Mice were vaccinated with 1 dose of 0.25 ml of P. mirabilis or Ps. aeruginosa antigen by various routes 1 week before iv challenge with homologous culture. The incidence of gross damage and positive kidney cultures compared with controls was greatly reduced whichever the route of immunization. Vaccination after pyelonephritis had become established was ineffective. Cross-vaccination studies showed considerable protection among 4 strains of Pseudomonas and 3 species of Proteus. LPS administered before P. mirabilis pyelonephritis was induced did not alter the outcome of the infection; when given after the disease was established, tolerance was noted. Qualitative and quantitative cultures of tissues of normal and vaccinated mice at various intervals following iv infection revealed that P. mirabilis and Ps. aeruginosa were cleared with greater rapidity from the blood, spleen, liver, and kidneys of vaccinated than of unvaccinated mice.