SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE SIBERIAN POLECAT TO SUBCUTANEOUS AND ORAL YERSINIA PESTIS EXPOSURE

摘要: To determine if the Siberian polecat (Mustela eversmannii) represents a suitable model for study of plague pathogenesis and prevention in black-footed ferret nigripes), polecats were exposed to 103, 107, or 1010 Yersinia pestis organisms by subcutaneous injection; an additional group was Y. via ingestion plague-killed mouse. Plague killed 88% (71% mortality 103 group, 100% 107 groups, 83% mouse-fed group). Within challenged mean day death post-challenge ranged from 3.6 7.6 days; all died on before 12 post-challenge. Animals receiving lowest parenteral dose survived significantly longer than those higher doses. animals, survival time lower presenting with significant weight loss 3, lethargy, low fecal output; onset lethargy other signs also related risk ...