Animal Models for Melioidosis

Abstract

Development, testing, and evaluation of medical countermeasures for melioidosis are hampered by a lack of well-characterized and standardized animal models. Recent work has both refined existing animal models for this disease and identified new ones. Head-to-head comparisons of mouse strains with varying susceptibility to the organism and using different routes of infection highlighted and confirmed important similarities and differences between murine models and exposure routes. Diabetic mouse models provided insight into the disease process in humans having this major risk factor. Large animal models, both livestock and non-human primate, have been established. Alternative (non-mammalian) models have been useful in identification of virulence factors and screening of therapeutic candidates. They hold potential for large-scale screening that would not be appropriate or practical for mammalian species. Recent advances in animal and alternative modeling will enhance our understanding of the organism and the disease process, as well as accelerating the development of medical countermeasures.