Neutrophils are the predominant cell-type to associate with Burkholderia pseudomallei in a BALB/c mouse model of respiratory melioidosis

A variety of studies have implicated neutrophils and the rapid induction of cytokine in the host response in melioidosis. Here a BALB/c mouse model of infection with aerosolised Burkholderia pseudomallei K96243 has been used to understand the immune response to infection in this model and verify other infection models that show rapid growth of bacteria, colonisation of tissues and periphery, induction of cytokines and influx of neutrophils. Uniquely, this study has also determined the association of B. pseudomallei to host cells in vivo using flow cytometric techniques. Neutrophils were found to be the predominant cell-type exhibiting B. pseudomallei antigens during infection and it is likely that bacteria have been internalised. This data confirms that neutrophils are likely to play an important and active role in fighting infection with B. pseudomallei.

► Previously, neutrophils have been shown to be important in protection against Burkholderia. pseudomallei infection.
► B. pseudomallei antigens were co-localised to leukocytes in a respiratory infection mouse model using flow cytometry.
► Neutrophils were the predominant cells to associate with the bacterial antigen.
► CD11b expression increased on CD11c+ lung macrophages as infection progressed.