[Use of direct calorimetry for continuously following the course of experimental infections in the mouse].

Abstract

To obtain information about early symptoms of infection measurements of heat production were performed in experimentally infected animals. As a model Mengo virus-infected mice were used. Construction and physical properties of the flow calorimeter device are described. Fever was not detected by method used. However, deviations from normal behaviour of the animals were demonstrated as a result of the relationship between motoric activity and heat produced. Furthermore, the method may be particularly useful for the determination of the exact time of death, which is of interest for mathematical modelling of survival data (RECKNAGEL et al. 1986; GUTHKE et al. 1987; SUHNEL und VECKENSTEDT 1989).