Research Category: A1: Adjuncts to Animal Use Research

FY: 2005 Funding (in dollars): $33,000

Responsible Organization: U.S. ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Primary Contact: MRMC: U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
City: Fort Detrick
State: MD
Zip: 21702-5011

Keywords: LABORATORY ANIMALS TELEMETRY

Objective:
Previous studies have revealed that the clinical course of disease of inhalational plague closely mimics that found in human disease. Although these studies did provide some data, the complete clinical course of disese for these agents has yet to be fully elucidated. Through the use of state-of-the-art implantable telemetry monitoring we intend on accomplishing the following objectives: 1) Establish a clinical database in the ACM model of inhalational plague; 2) Evaluate the telemetry data of all test animals using veterinary and human clinicians; 3) Evaluate clinical parameters including radiographic, serum chemistries, coagulation studies, cytokine levels, and blood cultures; 4) Examine intravascular implant tips by culture for evidence of the bacterial vegetative lesions at the site of implant.Purcell,B04-07

Approach:
Details of the early human clinical course for inhalational plague has yet to be elucidated since often infected patients present during later stages of infection. Consequently few comparisons, in particular telemetry data, have been made for the corresponding animal model of plague infection. Previous infection studies with plague in the African Green monkey (ACM) have revealed clinical symptoms and signs that closely resemble those seen in human infection. Although these studies have measured a limited number of telemetry parameters, such as ECS and temperature in the infected animals, the information was not collected on a continuous basis. Recent innovations and advancements in implantable telemetry technology will now enable investigators to follow in detail multiple clinical parameters during the course of these infections in animal models of disease beyond data previous collected. Consequently, by comparing multiple clinical parameters on a continuous basis from the time period preceding exposure through the entire course of the disease, common clinical factors and any parameter variability may be identified. The information may provide significant insight into the course of this disease in this animal model. By comparing multiple clinical parameters on a continuous basis from the time period preceding exposure through the entire course of the disease, clinical factors and any parameter variability may be identified. The information may provide significant insight into the natural course of this disease and identify as well as unique early clinical features. Previous infection studies with this agent in the ACM model have measured only a limited number of parameters, such as ECG and temperature. The information was not collected on a conunuous basis and utilized less sensitive sensor Ups. ________________________________________

Research was conducted in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and other Federal statutes and regulations relating to the use of animals in research and was reviewed and approved by the Institute's Animal Care and Use Committee.