Animal models mortality rates

NRDC used Salmonella Infections as the model to make their estimates of mortality and morbidity rates. They pointed out that these are conservative estimates (underestimates) because resistance also occurs In other pathogenic bacteria that cause human diseases. Some of the resistance In these other pathogens results from the pool of resistant bacteria In animals, which Is ultimately due In large part to subtherapeutlc use of penicillin and the tetracyclines In animal feeds. 

For keyhole limpet hemocyanine (KLH) both antibody responses and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions can be determined [43—45]. In addition several infectious models, including bacterial, viral and parasitic infections may be used to challenge the immune system [18,46]. As survival and eradication of the infections is the primary function of the immune system, these models provide direct information on the functional status of the immune system. Direct immunotoxic compounds will induce immunosuppression and thus an increase in infection rate and/or severity of the infection. The number of infectious agents (bacteria, parasites, or viral colonyforming units), increased morbidity and mortality are indications for an immunotoxic effect. Also a reduction in specific antibody levels in animals treated with the test compound compared to nontreated controls indicates immunosuppression. 

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