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Updated: May 11, 2026
Rat Burn Model to Study Full-Thickness Cutaneous Thermal Burn and Infection
Published on: August 23, 2022
Systemic inflammatory responses and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome following skin burn wound and Pseudomonas
1Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.
Abstract:
Burn wound-related sepsis is associated with the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). This study is aimed at investigating the development and progression of SIS and MODS in a mouse model of skin burn sepsis. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the sham, burn, Pseudomonas, and burn/Pseudomonas groups. The back skin of the sham, burn, and burn/Pseudomonas groups was burned about 10% of total area with using 37°C or 98°C water for 8 s, respectively, followed by inoculating with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Pseudomonas group was infected with P. aeruginosa without burn injury. Their body weights, mortality, organ histology, and function as well as systemic inflammation were measured longitudinally. The burn/Pseudomonas mice lost more body weights than did mice from the other groups and had a significantly higher mortality rate (P < 0.05). The burn/Pseudomonas mice exhibited significantly higher levels of bacterial loads in different organs and serum endotoxin, interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, and C-reactive protein than those in mice from the other groups (P < 0.05). The burn/Pseudomonas mice also displayed more severe liver, lung, and kidney tissue damage and impaired organ functions, particularly at 72 h after inoculation than did the burn and Pseudomonas groups of mice. Our data indicate that burn and P. aeruginosa infection induced severe sepsis and rapidly progressed into systemic inflammatory response syndrome and MODS in mice.
Insights
Burn sepsis combined with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection significantly increases mortality and organ damage in mice. This model effectively simulates severe sepsis, leading to systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).
Area of Science:
- Infectious disease modeling
- Sepsis pathophysiology
- Inflammatory response research
Background:
- Burn wound infections can lead to severe sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).
- Understanding the progression of sepsis in burn patients is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- A robust animal model is needed to study the complex interactions between burn injury and bacterial infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development and progression of SIRS and MODS in a mouse model of skin burn sepsis.
- To evaluate the impact of combined burn injury and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection on sepsis outcomes.
- To characterize the systemic inflammatory response and organ damage induced by this combined insult.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6J mice were divided into sham, burn, Pseudomonas, and burn/Pseudomonas groups.
- A standardized burn injury (10% total body surface area) was inflicted using hot water (98°C).
- Mice were inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa; outcomes including body weight, mortality, organ histology, function, and systemic inflammation markers were measured longitudinally.
Main Results:
- The burn/Pseudomonas group exhibited significantly higher mortality rates and greater body weight loss compared to other groups.
- Elevated bacterial loads, serum endotoxin, and key inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CRP) were observed in the burn/Pseudomonas group.
- Severe liver, lung, and kidney tissue damage, along with impaired organ function, were most pronounced in the burn/Pseudomonas group at 72 hours post-inoculation.
Conclusions:
- Combined burn injury and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection induce severe sepsis in mice.
- This model effectively replicates the rapid progression to SIRS and MODS observed in severe clinical cases.
- The findings highlight the critical role of bacterial infection in exacerbating burn-related sepsis and multi-organ failure.
