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Brain microabscesses in a porcine model of Staphylococcus aureus sepsis
Lærke B Astrup1, Mette V Nielsen, Tine M Iburg
1Section of Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. boye@sund.ku.dk.
Background:
Sepsis caused by Staphylococcus aureus often leads to brain microabscesses in humans. Animal models of haematogenous brain abscesses would be useful to study this condition in detail. Recently, we developed a model of S. aureus sepsis in pigs and here we report that brain microabscesses develop in pigs with such induced S. aureus sepsis.Twelve pigs were divided into three groups. Nine pigs received an intravenous inoculation of S. aureus once at time 0 h (group 1) or twice at time 0 h and 12 h (groups 2 and 3). In each group the fourth pig served as control. The pigs were euthanized at time 12 h (Group 1), 24 h (Group 2) and 48 h (Group 3) after the first inoculation. The brains were collected and examined histopathologically.
Results:
All inoculated pigs developed sepsis and seven out of nine pigs developed brain microabscesses. The microabscesses contained S. aureus and were located in the prosencephalon and mesencephalon. Chorioditis and meningitis occurred from 12 h after inoculation.
Conclusions:
Pigs with experimental S. aureus sepsis often develop brain microabscesses. The porcine brain pathology mirrors the findings in human sepsis patients. We therefore suggest the pig as a useful animal model of the development of brain microabscesses caused by S. aureus sepsis.
Insights
Pigs experimentally infected with Staphylococcus aureus developed sepsis and brain microabscesses. This pig model effectively replicates human brain abscesses caused by S. aureus sepsis, aiding further research.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Animal Models
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus sepsis frequently causes brain microabscesses in humans.
- Developing animal models for hematogenous brain abscesses is crucial for research.
- A previously established S. aureus sepsis model in pigs was utilized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of brain microabscesses in a porcine model of S. aureus sepsis.
- To assess the utility of the pig as an animal model for S. aureus-induced brain abscesses.
Main Methods:
- Twelve pigs were divided into three groups, with nine receiving intravenous S. aureus inoculation.
- Inoculation protocols varied (once or twice), with control pigs in each group.
- Pigs were euthanized at 12, 24, or 48 hours post-inoculation for histopathological brain examination.
Main Results:
- All inoculated pigs exhibited sepsis.
- Seven out of nine pigs developed S. aureus-containing brain microabscesses.
- Microabscesses were found in the prosencephalon and mesencephalon; choroiditis and meningitis were observed from 12 hours.
Conclusions:
- Experimental S. aureus sepsis in pigs frequently results in brain microabscesses.
- The observed porcine brain pathology closely resembles that in human sepsis patients.
- The pig serves as a valuable animal model for studying S. aureus sepsis-related brain microabscess development.
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