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Natural history of chronic Staphylococcus epidermidis foreign body infection in a mouse model
B Gallimore1, R F Gagnon, R Subang
1Department of Medicine, Montreal General Hospital, Canada.
Abstract:
The development and characterization of a mouse model of chronic Staphylococcus epidermidis foreign body infection was done with two clinical isolates that differed in degree of extracellular slime production. Segments of Silastic catheters bearing preformed S. epidermidis biofilms were implanted intraperitoneally, and mice were assessed after 3 and 6 months. Both test strains of S. epidermidis persisted at the implant site through the 6-month follow-up in 80% of the mice, regardless of the degree of slime production. There was no evidence of overt animal morbidity, and microbiologic assessment of other peritoneal sites did not reveal dissemination of bacteria from the infected focus. In comparison with control mice, animals harboring chronic foreign body infection presented marked peripheral neutrophilia and mild anemia.
Insights
A novel mouse model for chronic Staphylococcus epidermidis foreign body infection was developed. This model demonstrated persistent S. epidermidis biofilms on implanted catheters, causing mild anemia and neutrophilia without bacterial dissemination.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Animal Models
Background:
- * Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common cause of foreign body infections.
- * Chronic infections are challenging to treat and require effective animal models for study.
- * Extracellular slime production by S. epidermidis may influence infection persistence.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To develop and characterize a mouse model of chronic Staphylococcus epidermidis foreign body infection.
- * To assess the role of slime production in S. epidermidis foreign body infections.
- * To evaluate host immune responses in this model.
Main Methods:
- * Implantation of Silastic catheter segments with preformed S. epidermidis biofilms into the mouse peritoneum.
- * Assessment of infection persistence, bacterial dissemination, and host response at 3 and 6 months.
- * Comparison of two clinical isolates differing in slime production.
Main Results:
- * S. epidermidis biofilms persisted at the implant site in 80% of mice for 6 months, irrespective of slime production.
- * No overt animal morbidity or bacterial dissemination to other peritoneal sites was observed.
- * Infected mice exhibited peripheral neutrophilia and mild anemia compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- * The developed mouse model effectively replicates chronic S. epidermidis foreign body infections.
- * Slime production does not significantly impact S. epidermidis persistence in this foreign body infection model.
- * Chronic infection induces specific hematological changes in the host.