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Updated: May 16, 2026
A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: February 28, 2019
Ampicillin alone and in combination with riboflavin modulates Staphylococcus aureus infection induced septic
Pinky Mal1, Deboshree Ghosh, Debasish Bandyopadhyay
1Department of Physiology, Immunology Laboratory, University Colleges of Science and Technology, University of Calcutta, 92 APC Road, Kolkata 700 009, India.
Abstract:
Effects of ampicillin (Amp) in combination with riboflavin on septic arthritis in mice infected with Staphylococcus aureus have been reported. Ampicillin was given at 100 mg/kg after 24 h of infection, followed by riboflavin (Ribo) at 20 mg/kg body wt, after 2 h of Amp treatment. Mice were sacrificed at 3, 9, 15 days post infection (dpi). Combined treatment of infected mice with ampicillin and riboflavin eradicated the bacteria from blood, spleen and synovial tissue and showed a significant gross reduction in arthritis, reduced serum levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. S. aureus infected mice exhibited higher synovial TNF-alpha and IL-6, which was also reduced by ampicillin and riboflavin treatment. S. aureus infected mice showed a disturbed antioxidant status measured in terms of cellular anti-oxidants like reduced glutathione and anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase and were ameliorated when the animals were co-treated with ampicillin along with riboflavin. Results of the study showed that combined treatment with anti-oxidant and antibiotic may protect from staphylococcal arthritis and may ameliorate oxidative stress caused by S. aureus infection.
Insights
Combining the antibiotic ampicillin (Amp) with the antioxidant riboflavin (Ribo) effectively treated Staphylococcus aureus septic arthritis in mice. This combination eradicated bacteria and reduced inflammation and oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Septic arthritis caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection leads to significant joint inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Current treatments may not fully address the multifaceted pathology of staphylococcal arthritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of combined ampicillin and riboflavin treatment on Staphylococcus aureus-induced septic arthritis in a mouse model.
- To evaluate the impact of this combination therapy on bacterial eradication, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress.
Main Methods:
- Mice were infected with Staphylococcus aureus and treated with ampicillin (100 mg/kg) followed by riboflavin (20 mg/kg).
- Bacterial load, arthritis severity, serum and synovial cytokine levels (TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6), and antioxidant status (glutathione, SOD, catalase) were assessed at 3, 9, and 15 days post-infection.
Main Results:
- Combined ampicillin and riboflavin treatment eradicated Staphylococcus aureus from blood, spleen, and synovial tissue.
- Significant reduction in gross arthritis, serum TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels, and synovial TNF-alpha and IL-6 was observed.
- The treatment ameliorated the disturbed antioxidant status, restoring reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzyme levels.
Conclusions:
- Combined antibiotic and antioxidant therapy demonstrates protective effects against staphylococcal arthritis.
- This combination approach may be a promising strategy to mitigate oxidative stress induced by Staphylococcus aureus infections.
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