Canadian Journal of Pure & Applied Sciences

Abstract: The present study investigated the susceptibility of rodents and chicks to Gardnerella vaginalis colonization. A total of seventy five rodents including albino rats, guinea pigs and rabbits were inoculated intra-vaginally and intra-muscularly respectively with G. vaginlis. Also, thirty day old and two week old chicks were inoculated intra-rectally and intra-muscularly. The animals were observed for three weeks. The respective rectal swabs were cultured and screened for G. vaginalis while the sera were examined for G. vaginalis antibody using agglutination and complement fixation tests. The rectal temperatures were determined. The vital organs including kidney, liver, heart, vagina, uterus, rectum and spleen were also screened for G. vaginalis colonization. The result of the study indicated G. vaginalis colonization in the vital organs of the rats and chicks inoculated with G. vaginalis (102-105 CFU/mL). Anti G. vaginalis antibody were detected in all the rodents and chicks inoculated. No colonization however was observed in the organs of guinea pigs and rabbits inoculated with G. vaginalis. This study therefore showed that albino rats and chicks are susceptible to G. vaginalis colonization and could serve as laboratory models for the study of G. vaginalis. However, the implication of this susceptibility with regard to the epizootiology of G. vaginalis associated diseases remain to be determined.