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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Rat
Published on: June 4, 2012
Topical versus systemic vancomycin for deep sternal wound infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
Ali V Ozcan1, Melek Demir, Gokhan Onem
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey. vefaozcan@yahoo.com
Abstract:
In 37 Wistar albino rats, we investigated the effects of topical vancomycin on deep sternal wound infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Partial median sternotomy was performed under sterile conditions. Group I (n=6) was the sham, and group II (n=7) was the control. Group III (n=8) received topical vancomycin, group IV (n=8) received systemic vancomycin, and group V (n=8) received topical and systemic vancomycin (combined). Rats in groups II through V were inoculated with 0.5 mL x 10(8) CFU/mL methicillin-resistant S. aureus in the mediastinum and sternum. No medication was given to groups I and II. Twenty-four hours after surgery, 40 mg/kg/day vancomycin was given topically in group III; systemically in group IV; and topically and systemically in group V After 7 days, smear samples from the mediastinum and tissue cultures from the sternum were obtained. We found 5.00 +/- 0 CFU/mL microorganisms in the mediastinum in group II, 1.90 +/- 1.70 in group III, 3.33 +/- 0.48 in group IV and 1.70 +/- 1.08 in group V. The quantity of microorganisms per gram of tissue in the sternum was 736 +/- 0.23 in group II, 6.01 +/- 0.33 in group III, 5.81 +/- 0.81 in group IV and 3.99 +/- 2.47 in group V The quantity of microorganisms was less in the 3 treatment groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). We conclude that topical plus systemic vancomycin treatment might be more effective in patients with deep sternal wound infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus.
Insights
Topical vancomycin effectively reduced deep sternal wound infections in rats caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Combined topical and systemic vancomycin showed the most promising results for treating these infections.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Infection
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Deep sternal wound infections pose a significant clinical challenge.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common causative agent.
- Effective treatment strategies for MRSA sternal infections are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of topical vancomycin in treating deep sternal wound infections caused by MRSA in a rat model.
- To compare the effectiveness of topical, systemic, and combined vancomycin treatments.
Main Methods:
- Wistar albino rats underwent partial median sternotomy and were inoculated with MRSA.
- Treatment groups received topical vancomycin, systemic vancomycin, or a combination.
- Bacterial load in mediastinal smears and sternal tissue cultures was assessed after 7 days.
Main Results:
- All vancomycin treatment groups showed a significant reduction in bacterial load compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
- The combined topical and systemic vancomycin group demonstrated the lowest bacterial counts in both mediastinal and sternal samples.
- Topical vancomycin alone also proved effective in reducing microbial burden.
Conclusions:
- Topical vancomycin is a viable option for managing deep sternal wound infections caused by MRSA.
- Combined topical and systemic vancomycin therapy may offer superior efficacy.
- Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm these findings in human patients.
