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ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE WHO/VBC/87.948 ENGLISH ONLY

SAFETY TESTS ON MICE WITH BACILLUS SPHAERICUS SEROTYPE H-Sa,Sb, STRAIN 23621

by

H. de Barjac,2 V. Cosmao Dumanoir,2 S. Hamon2 and I. Thiery2

1. INTRODUCTION

Mammalian toxicity tests were carried out on mice with B. sphaericus serotype H-5a,5b, strain 2362, isolated in Nigeria in 1984. After re-isolation in the laboratory and storage in the form of dry spores, the strain was cultured either in a nutrient broth (NB) or an MBS medium3 for 48 h at 30°C and agitated. Then the spore- and crystal- containing cultures were transferred into test-tubes and stored in a freezer at -20°C until use. The average count per ml of NB or MBS medium was respectively 1 or 2.8 x 109 total viable cells and 0.4 or 6.5 x 108 spores.

Controls consisted of sterile medium, and not of autoclaved cultures, in order to eliminate any possible intervention of thermostable toxic factors.

The animals were Swiss mice.

2. SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION

Two lots of thirty female mice each were divided into groups of five animals per cage.

Twenty mice were injected 0.20 ml of NB culture (2 x 108 viable cells) or 0.25 ml of MBS culture (7 x 108 viable cells); ten others were injected the same quantity of sterile NB or MBS medium.

Behaviour, feeding and weight of all mice were observed for one month. Then the animals were sacrificed and necropsy performed. Weight of all livers, kidneys, spleens, hearts and adrenals was recorded.

1 This study received financial support from the UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases.

2 Lutte Biologique contre les Insectes II, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.

3 MBS medium ⁼ KH2P04 6.8, MgS04 7H20 0.3, MnS04 0.02, Fe2(S04)3 0.02,

ZnS04 7H20 0.02, CaCl2 0.2, pH adjusted to 7.2 (g/1 solution in deionized water) plus tryptose (Difco) 10.0 and yeast extract (Difco) 2.0 (g/1).

This document is not a formal publication of the World Health Organization (WHO), and all rights are reserved by the Organization. The document may, however, be freely reviewed, abstracted, reproduced or translated in part or in whole, but not for sale or use in conjunc:

tion with commercial purposes.

The views expressed in documents by named authors are solely the responsibility of those authors.

Ce document n'est pas une publication officielle de I'Orga·

nisation mondiale de Ia Sante (OMS) et tous les droits y afferents sont reserves par !'Organisation. S'il peut etre commente, resume ou cite sans aucune restriction il ne saurait cependant ihre reproduit ni traduit, partiellement ou en totalite, pour Ia vente ou

a

Les opinions exprimees dans les documents par des auteurs cites nommement n'engagenet que lesdits auteurs.

WHO/VBC/87.948 page 2

2.1 Average body weight (g)

Days after injection 0 4 7 11 14 18 28 32

NB controls 21.5 26 2 9. 5 30 31.5 34 34.5 32.5

~n 0.5 0 0.5 0 1.5 0 0.5 0.5

~n- 1 0.7 0 0.7 0 2.12 0 0.7 0.7

NB culture 21.5 25.5 27.7 29.7 31 33.5 34.5 34.2

~n 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.7 1.1 1.5 0.4

~n - 1 0.57 0.57 0.5 0.5 0.8 1.2 1.7 0.5

Days after injection 0 3 7 10 14 17 21 28

MBS controls 24.6 24.9 25.1 26.7 28 29.2 29.9 30.2

~n 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0 0 0.5 0.2

~n- 1 0.282 0.14 0.141 0.14 0 0 0.707 0.28

NBS culture 24 23.9 24.9 26.5 28.1 28.3 30.5 31

~n 1.08 1.01 0.69 0.73 1.18 2.67 0.99 1.2

~n - 1 1.24 1.17 0.8 0.85 1.37 3.09 1.14 1.38

See Figs. 1 and 2.

NecroES:Y:

No pathological abnormalities were found.

2.2 Average organ weight (g)

Liver Kidneys Spleen Heart Adrenals

NB controls 1.492 0.554 0.086 0.223 0.0145

~n 0.112 0.016 0.015 0.009 0.0021

~· n - 1 0.159 0.023 0.021 0.013 0.0029

NB culture 1. 757 0.612 0.116 0.202

o.

- - - - -

~n ^{0.178 0.029 0.018 0.016 0.0033}

~n

MBS controls 1.750 0.4 0.170 0.143

o.

~n 0.051 0.001 0.0095 0.001 0.0021

~n- 1 0.072 0.0014 0.0134 0.0014 0.0023

MBS culture 2.288 0.482 0.425 0.162 0.0158

~n 0.207 0.053 0.069 0.0070 0.0026

{n - 1

o.

Organ weights

As in previous tests with B. sphaericus serotype H-25, strain 2297, higher values for liver and spleen were obtained in some mice injected with MBS culture.

3. INTRAPERITONEAL INJECTION

Two lots of thirty female mice each were divided into groups of five animals. In each lot, twenty mice were injected 0.20 ml of bacterial culture, either in NB (2 x 108 viable cells) or in MBS (5.6 x 108 viable cells), and ten mice, serving as controls, were injected 0.20 ml of sterile NB or sterile MBS medium.

Body weight was observed during one month, then necropsy was performed and organs were sampled and weighed. Experiments with MBS culture and sterile media were also repeated.

WHO/VBC/87. 948 page 4

3.1 Average body weight (g)

---

Days after injection 0 4 7 11 14 18 28 32

NB controls 21 26 28 30 32.5 34 34.5 35

~n 0 0 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 1

~n - 1 0 0 0 0 0.7 0 0.7 1.4

NB culture 21.7 25.5 29.5 31.7 32.7 34.2 36.2 34.7

~n 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.8 1.08 1.08 2.8 2.3

~n- 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.9 1.2 1.25 3.3 2.7

Days after injection 0 3 7 10 14 17 21 28

MBS controls 23.2 24.2 24.6 26.5 28.9 29.2 30 30.9

~n 0.8 0.2 0 0.5 0.1 0 0.2 0.1

~n- 1 1.13 0.28 0 0.7 0.14 0 0.28 0.14

MBS culture 24.6 24.1 24.9 26.3 27.6 29.5 30.5 29.9

~n 0.6 0.9 1.06 0.7 0.3 0.8 1.06 0.8

~n - 1

o.

See Figs. 3 and 4.

Necropsy

No pathological findings.

NB controls

~n

(n- 1

NB culture

~n ^- 1

MBS controls

~n

~n - 1

MBS culture

~n

~n- 1

Or~an weights

3.2 Average organ weight (g)

Liver Kidneys Spleen

1.888 0.608 0.108

0.119 0.022 0.005

0.168 0.031 0.007

1.670 0.601 0.107

0.198 0.059 0.019

0.0229 0.069 0.022

1.841 0.41 0.189

0.049 0.006 0.01

0.07 0.0084 0.014

2.177 0.435 0.310

0.117 0.028 0.032

0.136 0.032 0.037

Heart Adrenals

0.203 0.0172

0.0135 0.0026

0.019 0.0036

0.194 0.0138

o.

o.

0.004 0.0039

0.155

o.

0.0255 0.0013

0.036 0.0018

0.141 0.0153

o.

o.

0.0173 0.0033

As before, a slight increase in the weight of the liver and spleen was apparent only in mice who had received the MBS culture.

4. INTRAVENOUS INJECTION

Each of two lots of thirty female mice was divided into groups of five animals. In each lot, twenty mice were injected 0.20 ml of bacterial culture in NB (2 x 108 viable cells) or MBS medium (5.6 x 108 viable cells) and ten, serving as~ontrols, were injected 0.20 ml sterile NB or sterile MBS medium.

Observations of the general condition, behaviour and weight were made during one month.

Afterward, necropsy was performed, with sampling and weighing of the main organs.

WHO/VBC/87. 948 page 6

4.1 Average body weight (g)

Days after injection 0 4 7 11 14

NB controls 21.5 26.5 30 32 33

~n 0.5 0.5 0 0 0

~n- 1 0.7 0.7 0 0 0

NB culture 21.5 26.25 30.25 31.5 33.5

~n 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 1.1

~n- 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.2

Days after injection 0 3 7 10 14

MBS controls 24.15 24.5 24.9 26 27.5

~n 0.35 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.1

~n- 1 0.49 0.7 0.14 0.28 0.14

MBS culture 23.3 25.1 25.8 26.15 28.15

~n 0.87 0.7 0.6 1.27 0.72

~n - 1 1.013 0.8 0.7 1.47 0.83

See Figs. 5 and 6.

Necropsy

No abnormalities were discovered.

18 28 32

35 36 36

0 1 0

0 1.4 0

35.75 37.5 37

1.4 0.5 0.7

1.7 0.5 0.8

17 21 28

28.2 29.2 30.2

0 0 0.2

0 0 0.28

29.4 30.2 31.2

0.5 0.4 0.6

0.59 0.5 0.73

4.2 Average organ weight (g)

Liver Kidneys Spleen

NB controls 1.843 0.673 0.155

fn 0.131 0.033 0.056

~n - 1 0.185 0.046 0.079

NB culture 2.352 0.73 0.12

~n 0.199 0.015 0.010

in - 1 0.23 0.018 0. Oll

MBS controls 1. 759 0.412 0.178

~n 0.103 0.008 0.002

~n - 1 0.146 0.012 0.003

MBS culture 2.594 0.446 0.496

~n 0.172 0.026 0.127

~n - 1 0.198 0.030 0.147

Organ weights

As in subcutaneous and peritoneal injection, intravenous a slight increase in the weight of livers and spleens.

5. ORAL ADMINISTRATION

Heart

0.243

0.046

0.065

0.215

0.013

0.016

0.134

0.001

0.0014

0.140

0.016

0.018

Adrenals

0.0161

0.0029

0.0041

0.0203

---

0.0033

0.0038

0.013

0.0008

O.OOll

0.0161

0.0010

0.0012

injection of MBS culture caused

Female mice from two lots of thirty animals each were divided into groups of five mice per group. Twenty mice from each lot were force-fed either 0.5 ml NB culture (5 x 108 viable cells) or 0.5 ml MBS culture (1.4 x 109 viable calls), the remaining ten in each lot were force-fed either 0.5 ml sterile NB or 0.5 ml sterile MBS medium.

General observations lasted one month. Necropsy and weighing of the main organs were performed as before.

WHO/VBC/87.948 page 8

5.1 Average body weight (g)

Days after treatment 0 4 7 11 14

NB controls 21 23.5 29 30.6 32.5

~n 0 1.5 1 0 0.5

zn - 1 0 2.12 1.4 0 0.7

NB culture 21.5 24.2 28.2 30.2 32.5

~n 0.5 1.7 1.2 0.8 0.8

~n- 1 0.5 2 1.5 0.9 1

Days after treatment 0 3 7 10 14

MBS controls 24.7 24.7 25.2 26.6 27.2

~n 0.7 0.1 0.4 0./. 0.6

~n- 1 0.98 0.14 0.56 0.28 0.84

MBS culture 24.4 24.25 24.7 26.15 28.25

~n 0.8 1.08 0.78 0.79 0.89

~n - 1 0.93 1.25 0.9 0.91 1.03

See Figs. 7 and 8.

Necropsy

No pathological findings.

18 28 32

34 35 34

0 1 2

0 1.4 2.8

35 35 35.7

1.2 2.5 1.4

1.4 2.9 1.7

17 21 28

29.5 30 30.7

0.5 0 0.3

0.7 0 0.42

28.9 29.95 29.65

0.87 0.66 0.71

1.01 0.77 0.82

NB controls

~n

~n- 1

NB culture

~n

~n - 1

NBS controls

~n

~ n - 1

NBS culture

~n

in -

Organ weights

5.2 Average organ weight (g)

Liver Kidneys Spleen

1. 51 0.582 0.0835

0.382

o.

0.469 0.101 0.0346

1.844 0.65 0.1078

0.17 5 0.046 0.02

0.202 0.053 0.024

1.807 0.434 0.204

0.107 0.0065 0.017

0.152 0.009 0.024

1.667 0.407 0.185

0.098 0.0076 0.012

0.113 0.0088 0.013

Heart Adrenals

0.192 0.0127

o.

o.

0.019 0.0055

0.198 0.0191

o.

o.

0.010 0.0036

0.138 0.0169

0.0055 0.0031

o.

o.

0.152 0.0159

o.

o.

0.009 0.0021

The mean weight of all organs examined was similar in both controls and treated mice.

6. PERCUTANEOUS ADNINISTRATION

Thirty female mice were divided into two experimental groups and one control group of ten mice per group. Bacterial cultures were then applied either in an NB or NBS medium to mice in the experimental group; in the control group mice received either sterile NB or sterile NBS medium. Details are described below.

After local shaving, 0.15 ml of sterile medium was applied to the shaven area of skin on the back of each control mouse and 0.15 ml of bacterial culture in either an NB medium (1.5 x 108 viable cells) or NBS medium (4.2 x 108 viable cells) to the skin of each mouse in the experimental group. All animals, after receiving a paper collar around their neck to prevent touching treated areas, were kept in individual cages for 24 h. Afterwards they were placed by five per cage.

Body weight was observed for one month, then necropsy was performed and the main organs sampled and weighed.

WHO/VBC/87. 948 page 10

Days after treatment

NB controls

NB culture

~n

~n- 1

Days after treatment

MBS controls

MBS culture

~n

~n- 1

See Figs. 9 and 10.

No lesions occurred;

6.1 Average body weight (g)

0 4 7 11 14 18 28 32

22 26 29 30 34 37 36 36

21.5 24.5 2 7. 5 2 9.5 32 34.5 36 35.5

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1 0.5 0 0.5

0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.4 0.7 0 0.7

0 3 7 10 14 17 21 28

24.4 23.6 24.4 26 27.6 29.2 29.6 29

24.5 24 24.9 25.6 27.6 28.8 28.9 26.5

0.5 0 0.1 0 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.5

0.7 0 0.14 0 0.56 0.28 0.7 0.7

all necropsy findings and organ weights were normal.

7.

Of

6.2 Average organ weight (g)

Liver Kidneys Spleen Heart Adrenals

- - - -

NB controls 2.431 0.685 0.089 0.184 0.0182

NB culture 2. 431+ 0.683 0.111

o.

~n 0.151 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0008

~n- 1 0.213 0.0007 0.0007 0.0007 0.0011

MBS controls 1.561 0.406 0.167 0.130 0.0201

MBS culture 1.419

o.

~n ^{0.113 0.011 0.005 0.0005 0.0004}

~n - 1 0.160 0.015 0.007 0.0007 0.0005

INHALATION STUDY

Twenty female mice were treated: ten with an NB culture and ten with the MBS culture.

the ten mice who served as controls, half received a sterile NB medium and the other half sterile MBS medium. Details are described below.

An aerosol consisting of 0.6 ml of bacterial culture in an NB medium (6 x 108 viable cells) or MBS medium (1.68 x 109 viable cells) and to which 0.6 ml of physiological water was added was sprayed for 12 min in an airtight chamber containing ten mice. Controls

inhaled the same volume of diluted sterile medium.

Body weight was observed for one month, then necropsy was performed and organs sampled.

7.1 Average body weight (g)

Days after treatment 0 4 7 11 14 18 28 32

NB controls 21 26 29 31 32 34 33 36

NB culture 21.5 26 29 31 34 36 36.5 35.5

~n 0. 5 1 1 1 0 0 0.5 0.5

~ n - 1 0. 7 1.4 1.4 1.4 0 0 0.7 0.7

WHO/VBC/87. 948 page 12

Days after treatment

MBS controls

MBS culture

~n

~n- 1

See Figs. 11 and 12.

Necropsy

No abnormalities.

NB controls

NB culture

~n

~ n- 1

MBS controls

MBS culture

~n

~n - 1

8. CONCLUSION

0

23

24.3

0.1

0.14

7.2

Liver

2.291

2.142

0.044

0.062

1.506

1.554

0.142

0.2

3 7 10 14 17 21 28

24.8 25.8 27.2 28.4 29.6 30 29.4

25.2 26 27.6 29.3 30.4 30.8 29.3

0.2 0 0 0.3 0.2 0.2 1.3

o.

o.

Average organ weight (g)

Kidneys Spleen Heart Adrenals Lung

0.6

o.

o.

0.697 0.109 0.217 0.0179 0.260

0.016 0.008 0.0015 0.0005 0.0295

0.022

o.

0.3 72 0.148 0.160 0.0144 0.302

0.409 0.160 0.174 0.0149 0.249

0.015 0.002 0.02 0.0017 0.005

0.021 0.0035 0.028 0.0024 0.007

Safety tests with whole cultures of B. sphaericus serotype H-5a,5b, strain 2362, in nutrient broth (NB) or MBS medium did not show any pathological symptons in female mice.

Behaviour, growth curves, average organ weights and necropsy findings were normal.

9

35

30

2S

(

.1

0 I

)>

<

rn :;o )>

(j)

rn

tJj 0 t:l

-<

~

7

FIG. 1. SUBCUTANEOUS ROUTE

11

NB CULTURE

I

14

/ / /

T" ---:-::-:::--=1 --- ^----T

11- .. - / l /1

---

CONTROLS

---CULTURE-INJECTED

DAYS AFTER INJECTION

I

18

28 32

WHO/VBC/87. 948

page 14

g

30

25

)>

<

rn ;o )>

Gl rn to 0 t:::1

-<

~ rn

Gl :r:

-1

/ I _.,.-" I

I ,_.. ..1.

~----!-""'

I I

I I

.J. L

FIG. 2. SUBCUTANEOUS ROUTE MBS CULTURE

..L

---(

I

I I I I

I

.L

/ / / /

T I

T

I I - - - -

----l

CONTROL

CULTURE-INJECTED

DAYS AFTER INJECTION

204---~~----~----~----~----~----~---.

0

3 i

28

g

~0

3S-

30

25

)>

<

m

:::0 )>

G) m

tJj 0 t:.1

-<

.:E:

m

G)

:r: -1

I I

I 1

f- -r/

/ /

FIG. 3. INTRAPERITONEAL ROUTE

T ,.

I ,.,...,.

/ 1

/r

NB CULTURE

CONTROLS

CULTURE-INJECTED

DA?S AFTER INJECTION

WHO/VBC/87.948

page 16

g

30

rn :;u )>

Gl rn

tJ:1 0

-< t:1

>-:

rn :r: Gl

-t

25_T

I T t- ...

I

'

FIG. 4. INTRAPERITONEAL ROUTE

/ / /

MBS CULTURE

/

_,.-{

/ / /

--~CONTROLS

___ .. ___ CULTURE- INJECTED

UAYS AFTER INJECTION

204---~----~--~---.,---.---.---.

0 3 7 10 17

28

g

-40

35

30

25

0

):>

<

m

:::0 ):>

(j)

m

tJj

0 t::1

-<

:::E:

m

(j) I -l

FIG. 5. INTRAVENOUS ROUTE

11

NB CULTURE

T / I / I / / / I

l

I ^I

.J..

14

--+--

T

T .,;-,.... ...

I - - ""-1

- - !

I - - l

I .-

1 - -

,.,-

/ / I /

- - - CONTROLS

____ -cULTURE·- INJECTED

~ DAYS AFTER INJECTION

16

28 32

WHO/VBC/87.948

page 18

g

30

25

I

l.

0

)>

<

rr1 :::0 )>

G>

rn

tJj 0 t:1 -<

>-

rn

{.j")

:r: -l

3 7

FIG. 6. INTRAVENOUS ROUTE MBS CULTURE

T

I

... -1 .,..,..-

,

-- .l.

CONTROLS

___ -· __ CULTURE-INJECTED

DAYS AFTER INJECTION

10 14 17

21

g ' 35

30

)>

<

rn ;;o

)>

G)

rn

/

I I

/ /

t I

/ J. /r

/

FIG. 7. ORAL ROUTE NB CULTURE

T /

I / /

T I

)---

I I I I

/

T

I

I

I

CONTROLS

CULTURE-TREATED

25

I

1/

I

,, J

I ·DAYS AFTER TREATMENT

20~---~----~---~r----~---~---~,---~

0 4 7 11 14 18 28 32

WHO/VBC /87. 948

page 20

g

30

I ..J;.

)>

<

m

:::0 )>

G>

m

tJj 0 C! -<

... /

/

I '

... 1'

/ I

... ..1.

FIG. 8. ORAL ROUTE MBS CULTURE

T I

T

- - - CONTROLS

CULTURE-TREATED

DAYS AFTER TREATMENT 20+---~--~---~--~---~---~

0

3 7 10

28

g

35

30

25

.l

):>o

<

rn

::0 }>

G>

rn

tJj 0 t::1

-<

G>

:r: -1

FIG. 9. PERCUTANEOUS ROUTE NB CULTURE

T - - ,.r-

I ll.

I I /

T

I I /

-

T

..,..-- l. -- ...

.... --

- - I

- - .i.

--CONTROLS

--- CULTURE-TREATED

I

20-t--~--.--~-~---.---y---r---,

0 7

28 32

WHO/VBC/87.948 page 22

g

<

30

)>- G)

m

tJ:j 0 t:1

-<

:E: m

G)

:r: -1

FIG. 10. PERCUTANEOUS ROUTE MBS CULTURE

_ _ _ CONTROLS

--- CULTURE-TREATED

DAYS AFTER TREATMENT

20+----.---.----r---.----~----~---~

0 3 7

28

g

35

::0 )>

Gl rn ttl 0

-< t:J rn ::E

Gl I -1

30

25

FIG. 11. INHALATION

T!

NB CULTURE

I I I I

/

/ / /

/

T

---.Lh,

r--- ',

/

'

CONTROLS

CULTURE-TREATED

DAYS AFTER TREATMENT

20~----~r----r---~--~---~---.---.

_0 26 32

WHO/VBC/87.948 page 24

):>

g

30 ^{:::0 ):>} _G)

rn

tp 0 t::1

-<

::£:

rn

G) :c

--!

25

FIG. 12. INHALATION MBS CULTURE

T I I I I

CONTROLS

CULTURE-TREATED

DAYS AFTER TREATMENT

20+---~~---r----~----~----~---~---,

0 3 7 ·1

0