Effect of selenium deficiency on the development of central nervous systemlesions in murine listeriosis

The effect of selenium (Se) deficiency, produced by feeding a Se-deficient diet, on the development of central nervous system (CNS) lesions was studie d in mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes, administered in drinking wa ter for 1 or 7 days in a daily dose of 10(9) organisms, or for 7 days in a daily dose of 10(7). Se-deficient mice differed from Se-normal controls in developing CNS lesions significantly more frequently. Moreover, regardless of Se status, mice receiving repeated doses of 10(9) organisms difficult fr om those receiving a single 10(9) dose in showing CNS lesions at least twic e as often. The majority of animals with CNS lesions showed an inflammatory pattern of rhombencephalitis (17/24), while only two of 24 showed choroidi tis-ventriculitis-meningitis; five of 24 animals showed both inflammatory p atients. Listeria monocytogenes antigen was identified within the areas of inflammation by an immunoperoxidase technique. Neuritis of the trigeminal n erve was present in eight animals. The relative lack of pathological change s in the liver and spleen validates this murine model for the study of CNS listeriosis. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.