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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: February 28, 2019
Squalamine ointment for Staphylococcus aureus skin decolonization in a mouse model
Lamia Djouhri-Bouktab1, Kamel Alhanout, Véronique Andrieu
1Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Émergentes (URMITE) UMR 6236 CNRS, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille 05, France.
Objectives:
Staphylococcus aureus colonization of the skin and the nostrils remains a major cause of surgical-site infections despite preoperative and preventive procedures. To date, many compounds have been used for S. aureus decolonization, including mupirocin ointments and antiseptics, with variable results. The emergence of mupirocin-resistant S. aureus strains has led to the search for new antimicrobial agents specifically for S. aureus decolonization. In this work we evaluated squalamine and related parent-derived ointments (1%) as potential new compounds for S. aureus decolonization in a new mouse model.
Methods:
We report the development and application of squalamine and related parent-derived ointments in a new mouse skin model. After skin shaving, mice were colonized with an S. aureus suspension that was calibrated to 10⁴-10⁶ cfu/mL. The remaining bacterial load was monitored for 2 days after a single application of squalamine by spreading.
Results:
We found that S. aureus colonization of the skin was stable for at least 2 days before it was naturally eliminated. Using this model we found that squalamine ointment (1%) could reduce S. aureus viable cells by up to 4 log with a single, 1 h application of ointment, whereas mupirocin application reduced viable cell numbers by only 1.3 log during that same time (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that such compounds may be useful for S. aureus nasal and skin decolonization and may constitute a potent alternative for skin and nasal antisepsis before surgery.
Insights
Squalamine ointment effectively reduced Staphylococcus aureus skin colonization in a mouse model, outperforming mupirocin. This suggests squalamine as a promising alternative for decolonization before surgery.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
- Surgical Infection Prevention
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus colonization is a primary cause of surgical-site infections.
- Current decolonization methods like mupirocin have variable efficacy and face resistance.
- Novel antimicrobial agents are needed for effective S. aureus decolonization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate squalamine and related ointments for Staphylococcus aureus decolonization.
- To assess the efficacy of squalamine in a novel mouse skin colonization model.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of a new mouse skin model for S. aureus colonization.
- Mice were colonized with a calibrated S. aureus suspension after skin shaving.
- Bacterial load was monitored after single topical application of squalamine ointment (1%).
Main Results:
- Squalamine ointment (1%) achieved a 4-log reduction in S. aureus viable cells after a single 1-hour application.
- Mupirocin application resulted in only a 1.3-log reduction in viable cells during the same period (P < 0.05).
- S. aureus skin colonization remained stable for at least 2 days before natural elimination in the model.
Conclusions:
- Squalamine demonstrates significant potential for S. aureus nasal and skin decolonization.
- These findings suggest squalamine as a potent alternative for pre-surgical antisepsis.
- Further research into squalamine-based compounds for decolonization is warranted.
