Abstract
Background: The pathogen strain of Bacillus anthracis A0843, isolated during an anthrax outbreak occurred in Italy, belongs to the Cluster A1a genotype 3. The authors show its activity underlining that the regular behaviour could make it useful as a reference strain for subcutaneous challenge in rabbit model for anthrax vaccines efficacy test. Italy doesn’t use Ames strain because the restrictive measures, imposed after the bioterroristic events occurred in October 2001 in USA, reduced the movements of pathogen agents between reference laboratories in the world. It is necessary to adopt new rules that favour the security and the regularity of the research. Method: This study was done, during 3 years, on 50 New Zeeland rabbits, males and females, with a weigh between 1.200 and 1500 grams. The site of injection was back in the space between the two scapulae. It was used 20 LD50 (about 40.000 spores) of the pathogen strain according to the European Pharmacopoeia. Results: It was observed that anthrax begins to kills after 48 hours from the infection. At 72 hours the percentage of survival is 56,66%; at 96 hours is 30%. It was observed that two animals that survived after 120 hours from infection didn’t die. Conclusion: The LD50 of B. anthracis strain A0843 in rabbit is 2.000 spores, less virulent then Ames strain which is characterized of a LD50 of about 1.200 spores. The standard amount of 20 DL50 (about 40.000 spores) of B. anthracis strain A0843 injected in subcutaneous area in rabbits shows a linear behaviour. The higher mortality is observed between 72 and 96 hours. All the animals died within 120 hours from the infection. None of the infected animals survived over this time and we consider it the survival line of anthrax subcutaneous challenge in rabbit. Technical support: Angela Aceti and Nicola Nigro Founds: Ricerca Corrente 2005 of Ministry of Health of Italy This research was done in according to the Decreto legislativo n.116/92 on animal welfare
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