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Updated: May 19, 2026
A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: February 28, 2019
Gentamicin in combination with ascorbic acid regulates the severity of Staphylococcus aureus infection-induced septic
P Mal1, S Dutta, D Bandyopadhyay
1Department of Physiology, Immunology Laboratory, University of Calcutta, University Colleges of Science and Technology, Calcutta, West Bengal, India.
Abstract:
To study the effects of gentamicin in combination with ascorbic acid on septic arthritis, mice were infected with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and treated with gentamicin, which was given at 5 mg/kg after 24 h of infection, followed by ascorbic acid, given at 20 mg/kg body weight after 2 h of gentamicin treatment. Mice were sacrificed at 3, 9, 15 days post-infection (dpi). Combined treatment of infected mice with gentamicin and ascorbic acid eradicated the bacteria from the blood, spleen and synovial tissue and showed a significant gross reduction in arthritis, reduced serum levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). S. aureus-infected mice have demonstrated the disturbed antioxidant status measured in terms of cellular antioxidants like reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. The same were ameliorated when the animals were co-treated with gentamicin along with ascorbic acid.
Insights
Gentamicin combined with ascorbic acid effectively treats Staphylococcus aureus septic arthritis in mice. This combination eradicates bacteria and improves antioxidant status, reducing inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Septic arthritis is a severe joint infection often caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
- Current treatments may have limitations, necessitating exploration of novel therapeutic strategies.
- Staphylococcus aureus infection disrupts the host's antioxidant system, contributing to disease severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of combining gentamicin and ascorbic acid for treating Staphylococcus aureus-induced septic arthritis.
- To evaluate the impact of this combined therapy on bacterial load, arthritis severity, and host immune response.
- To assess the effect of the treatment on the antioxidant status in infected mice.
Main Methods:
- Mice were infected with Staphylococcus aureus and subsequently treated with gentamicin followed by ascorbic acid.
- Bacterial eradication was assessed in blood, spleen, and synovial tissue.
- Arthritis severity, serum cytokine levels (TNF-α, IFN-γ), and antioxidant markers (glutathione, SOD, catalase) were measured at various time points post-infection.
Main Results:
- Combined gentamicin and ascorbic acid treatment eradicated Staphylococcus aureus from systemic and joint tissues.
- Significant reduction in gross arthritis and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ) was observed.
- The disturbed antioxidant status in infected mice was ameliorated by the co-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Gentamicin and ascorbic acid combination therapy is a promising treatment for Staphylococcus aureus septic arthritis.
- This synergistic approach effectively clears infection, reduces joint inflammation, and restores antioxidant balance.
- Further research into this combination therapy could lead to improved clinical outcomes for septic arthritis patients.
