Evaluation of butorphanol tartrate and buprenorphine hydrochloride on the inflammatory reaction of the Sereny Test.

Invasion of the ocular epithelia of guinea pigs by virulent Shigella organisms, eliciting keratoconjunctivitis, is the basis of the Sereny Test (ST). This test has been used to ascertain the virulence of Shigella strains and more recently to screen candidate Shigella vaccines for efficacy. This test undoubtedly causes pain in test animals; however, recommendation for use of local analgesics/anesthetics has not been accepted because of concern that these topical agents may affect the ability of the Shigella organisms to invade the ocular epithelia or have a physiologic effect on the inflammatory process. Similarly, investigators are hesitant to use systemic analgesics in conjunction with the ST. Two blinded studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of selected systemic analgesics on the ST in outbred Hartley guinea pigs. Study 1 evaluated the recommended dosages for two systemic analgesics; study groups consisted of those receiving butorphanol tartrate (n = 16), those receiving buprenorphine hydrochloride (n = 16), and untreated controls (n = 5). Study 2 evaluated a low-dose buprenorphine hydrochloride group (n = 16) and an untreated control group (n = 5). All animals were inoculated with Shigella flexneri, strain 2a 2457T, onto the cornea and conjunctiva of each eye. At the onset of clinical signs, analgesics were administered to test groups. The degree of keratoconjunctivitis was evaluated per standard procedure; animals were weighed daily. After 7 days, animals were euthanatized and the eyes were removed for histologic morphometric evaluation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)