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Updated: Sep 30, 2026
Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Rat
Published on: June 4, 2012
[Vascular graft infection by Staphylococcus epidermidis: efficacy of various perioperative prophylaxis protocols in
A Giacometti1, O Cirioni, R Ghiselli
1Istituto di Malattie Infettive e Medicina Pubblica, INRCA IRRCS, Universit degli Studi di Ancona.
Abstract:
A rat model was used to investigate the efficacy of levofloxacin, cefazolin and teicoplanin in the prevention of vascular prosthetic graft infection. Graft infections were established in the subcutaneous tissue of 300 male Wistar rats by implantation of Dacron prostheses followed by topical inoculation with methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis. The study included a group without contamination, two contaminated groups without prophylaxis, two contaminated groups with intraperitoneal levofloxacin prophylaxis (10 mg/kg), two contaminated groups with intraperitoneal cefazolin prophylaxis (30 mg/kg), two contaminated groups with intraperitoneal teicoplanin prophylaxis (10 mg/kg) and six contaminated groups with rifampin-soaked graft and intraperitoneal levofloxacin, cefazolin or te- icoplanin prophylaxis. The grafts were removed after 7 days and evaluated by quantitative culture. The efficacy of levofloxacin against the methicillin- susceptible strain did not differ from that of cefazolin or teicoplanin. Levofloxacin showed slight less efficacy than teicoplanin against the methicillin-resistant strain. The levofloxacin-rifampin combination proved to be similarly effective to the rifampin-teicoplanin combination and more effective than the rifampin-cefazolin combination against both strains. The rifampin-levofloxacin combination may be useful for the prevention of late-appearing vascular graft infections caused by S. epidermidis because it takes advantage of the good anti-staphylococcal activity of both drugs.
Insights
Levofloxacin, cefazolin, and teicoplanin showed efficacy in preventing vascular graft infections in rats. The combination of rifampin and levofloxacin demonstrated significant effectiveness against S. epidermidis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Innovation
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Vascular prosthetic graft infections pose a significant clinical challenge.
- Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common pathogen in these infections, exhibiting varying resistance patterns.
- Effective prophylactic strategies are crucial to reduce graft infection rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of levofloxacin, cefazolin, and teicoplanin in preventing vascular prosthetic graft infections in a rat model.
- To compare the effectiveness of these antibiotics, both as monotherapy and in combination with rifampin, against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis.
Main Methods:
- A rat model involving Dacron prostheses and topical inoculation with S. epidermidis was utilized.
- Animals received various prophylactic treatments, including intraperitoneal levofloxacin, cefazolin, teicoplanin, and combinations with rifampin-soaked grafts.
- Graft cultures were performed after 7 days to quantify bacterial load and assess antibiotic efficacy.
Main Results:
- Levofloxacin demonstrated comparable efficacy to cefazolin and teicoplanin against methicillin-susceptible S. epidermidis.
- Teicoplanin showed slightly better efficacy than levofloxacin against methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis.
- The combination of rifampin and levofloxacin was highly effective, comparable to rifampin-teicoplanin and superior to rifampin-cefazolin against both S. epidermidis strains.
Conclusions:
- Levofloxacin, cefazolin, and teicoplanin are effective in preventing vascular graft infections.
- The rifampin-levofloxacin combination shows promise for preventing late-onset S. epidermidis graft infections due to synergistic anti-staphylococcal activity.
