The Prevention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections in Irradiated Mice and Rats

Abstract

Widespread infection with P. aeruginosa was responsible for many early deaths in CBA and C57 BL mice irradiated with 675 to 725 r. The infection originated from carriers and was propagated by fecal contamination of drinking devices. Sterilization of drinking bottles and elimination of permanent carriers led to the disappearance of the infection. The exceptional infection of mice by a Pseudomonas -carrying human with a paronychia is reported. In rats, early deaths were also associated with Pseudomonas bacteremia. Sanitation of the rat colony was followed by a disappearance of Pseudomonas bacteremia and a considerable reduction in early deaths.