Ascending urinary tract infection in rats caused by Proteus mirabilis

Abstract

A model for ascending unobstructed urinary tract infection was developed in female rats to study the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection by Proteus mirabilis. Urinary bladders of rats were inoculated by I. V. cannula with 0.5 ml ofbrainheart infusion broth containing approximataly 3 x 108 living bacteria. Kidney, blood and urine samples collected at days 2, 4 and weeks 1-8 intervals were studied for renal infection as well as renal function tests. The results indicated the variation and persistence of Proteus infection in rats kidney during the experiment. Blood urea nitrogen was significantly increased after 2 days and continued to increase throughout the experiment. Serum creatinine increased significantly on 3rd week and increased steadily to the end of experiment. Creatinine clearance fell markedly at 4th day and continued to fall thereafter.