Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthases and nitrotyrosine during the course of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in rat

• Bacterial meningitis continues to be a major health problem and despite great advances in antimicrobial therapy the fatality rate remains high. There is increasing evidence that leukocyte-endothelial interactions are involved in CNS damage during bacterial meningitis. Once leukocytes have entered the CSF they cause injury by releasing toxic molecules such as nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The induction of iNOS was examined by assessing intracerebral mRNA expression and protein production during the course of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis in the rat. Induction of iNOS mRNA was detected 12h postinoculation (pi), followed by a gradual reduction. The increased number of intracerebral iN OS expressing cells was detected at 12h pi. followed by further elevation to peak expression at 72h pi. The iNOS positive tissue also bound antibodies specific for nitrotyrosine. The expression of iNOS and NO production, as shown by nitrotyrosine expression, correlated with disease severity, suggesting that activation of iNOS may play an important role in Haemophilus irifluenzae type b meningitis.

Nyckelord

iNOS

Hib

brain

bacterial meningitis

rat

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)