Short-Term Dietary Protein Manipulation Does Not Affect Survival from Intraperitoneal Pseudomonas Infection in Mice

Manipulation of dietary protein has a variable effect on immune function and outcome from infections. In this study we investigated the role of different sources of protein at different levels on the susceptibility of mice to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CF1 mice were pair-fed diets with 5%, 20%, and 40% protein by weight. At the end of two weeks feeding of the experimental diets, mice were challenged with Ps. aeruginosa intraperitoneally and mortality was recorded over one week. No significant differences in survival among groups fed different levels of protein were seen. Similarly, type of protein used did not affect outcome. We conclude that overall two-week manipulation of dietary protein did not significantly affect outcome from infection in this model. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 14:366-370, 1990