INDUCTION OF ABNORMAL RESPIRATORY SOUNDS BY CAPSAICIN IN RATS PREVIOUSLY INFECTED WITH BORDETELLA-PERTUSSIS

Sprague Dawley rats, previously infected with Phase-I Bordetella pertu ssis, developed more severe abnormal respiratory sounds than normal an imals, but not coughing, when exposed to aerosolized capsaicin, one of several cough-inducing agents tested. Stethoscope examination suggest ed that greater production of pulmonary mucus might be occurring after capsaicin challenge of the infected animals, compared to the uninfect ed controls. Rats of three other strains gave characteristically diffe rent responses from the Sprague Dawleys. The administration of capsaic in to B. pertussis-infected rats may provide useful insights into the pathophysiology of excess mucus secretion in human pertussis. (C) 1998 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevi er Science B.V.