Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: February 28, 2019
Establishment of a superficial skin infection model in mice by using Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes
Elisabeth Kugelberg1, Tobias Norström, Thomas K Petersen
1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Box 596, The Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, S-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract:
A new animal model for the purpose of studying superficial infections is presented. In this model an infection is established by disruption of the skin barrier by partial removal of the epidermal layer by tape stripping and subsequent application of the pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The infection and the infection route are purely topical, in contrast to those used in previously described animal models in mice, such as the skin suture-wound model, where the infection is introduced into the deeper layers of the skin. Thus, the present model is considered more biologically relevant for the study of superficial skin infections in mice and humans. Established topical antibiotic treatments are shown to be effective. The procedures involved in the model are simple, a feature that increases throughput and reproducibility. This new model should be applicable to the evaluation of novel antimicrobial treatments of superficial infections caused by S. aureus and S. pyogenes.
Insights
A novel mouse model for superficial skin infections using Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes is introduced. This topical infection model is more biologically relevant and reproducible for testing new antimicrobial treatments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Superficial skin infections pose a significant health burden.
- Existing animal models often do not accurately replicate human topical infections.
- There is a need for reliable models to study pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a new, biologically relevant animal model for studying superficial skin infections.
- To establish a reproducible method for creating topical infections in mice.
- To validate the model's utility for evaluating antimicrobial treatments.
Main Methods:
- Disruption of the skin barrier via tape stripping to remove the epidermal layer.
- Application of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes to the disrupted skin.
- Evaluation of established topical antibiotic efficacy.
Main Results:
- A reproducible superficial skin infection model was successfully established.
- The model demonstrated biological relevance for topical infections.
- Standard topical antibiotic treatments proved effective in this model.
Conclusions:
- This new model offers a more accurate representation of superficial skin infections compared to existing methods.
- The model's simplicity and reproducibility facilitate high-throughput screening of novel antimicrobial agents.
- It is suitable for evaluating treatments against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes superficial infections.
