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Updated: Apr 22, 2026
A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: February 28, 2019
Antimicrobial effect of continuous lidocaine infusion in a Staphylococcus aureus-induced wound infection in a mouse
Cheng-Wei Lu1, Tzu-Yu Lin, Jiann-Shing Shieh
1From the *Department of Anesthesiology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City; †Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan; ‡Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; §Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital; and ∥Department of Eldercare, Oriental Institute of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Continuous infusion of local anesthetics in surgical wounds has been shown to be an effective technique for postoperative analgesia. To investigate the potential antimicrobial effect of continuous local anesthetic infusion, we adapted a mouse model of surgical wound infection to examine effects on antibacterial response. Forty male BALB/c mice were randomized into 2 groups. An incision wound was made over the dorsal flank and instilled with Staphylococcus aureus. An osmotic pump was then implanted to deliver either 0.9% NaCl or 2% lidocaine continuously. Each wound was cultured postoperatively at 2 days, and the colony count of S. aureus was determined. Results showed that the number of colony-forming units of S. aureus measured in wounds treated with lidocaine displayed a nearly 10-fold reduction compared to the wounds in the saline group (P=0.009). The demonstrated antibacterial activity indicates that local anesthetic infusion may play a role in prophylaxis for surgical wound infections.
Insights
Continuous lidocaine infusion in surgical wounds reduced Staphylococcus aureus bacterial counts by tenfold. This finding suggests local anesthetics may help prevent surgical site infections.
Area of Science:
- Surgical site infection research
- Antimicrobial properties of local anesthetics
Background:
- Continuous local anesthetic infusion is established for postoperative pain management.
- The potential antimicrobial effects of local anesthetics remain underexplored in surgical wound contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antimicrobial activity of continuous local anesthetic infusion.
- To evaluate the impact of lidocaine on bacterial response in a mouse surgical wound infection model.
Main Methods:
- A mouse model of surgical wound infection was established using Staphylococcus aureus.
- Forty BALB/c mice received incision wounds, with continuous infusion of either 0.9% NaCl or 2% lidocaine via osmotic pump.
- Bacterial colony counts of S. aureus were determined at 2 days postoperatively.
Main Results:
- Wounds treated with continuous lidocaine infusion showed a nearly 10-fold reduction in Staphylococcus aureus colony-forming units compared to saline controls (P=0.009).
- Lidocaine demonstrated significant antibacterial activity in the surgical wound model.
Conclusions:
- Continuous local anesthetic infusion, specifically lidocaine, exhibits antibacterial properties.
- Local anesthetic infusion may serve as a prophylactic measure against surgical wound infections.
