Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (GAM-5) induces parkinsonian-like alterations in mouse

摘要: Parkinson's disease, a major neurodegenerative disorder in humans whose etiology is unknown, may be associated with some environmental factors. Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (GAM-5) isolated from patient an actinomycetoma produced signs similar to disease following iv injection into NMRI mice. mice were infected intravenously non-lethal dose of 5 x 106 colony forming units N. (GAM-5). Fourteen days after bacterial infection, most the 60 injected exhibited parkinsonian features characterized by vertical head tremor, akinesia/bradykinesia, flexed posture and postural instability. There was peak nocardial growth brain during first 24 h followed decrease, so that 14 nocardiae could no longer cultured. At Gram staining showed neurons substantia nigra occasionally parenchyma frontal parietal cortex. 21 post-infection, tyrosine hydroxylase immunolabeling 58% reduction nigra, 35% ventral tegmental region. Dopamine levels reduced 110 ± 32.5 58 16.5 ng/mg protein (47.2% reduction) exhibiting impaired movements, whereas serotonin unchanged (191 44 control 175 39 mice). later times, intraneuronal inclusion bodies observed nigra. Our observations emphasize need for further studies potential association between or parkinsonism-like exposure various species.