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Updated: Mar 10, 2026
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A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: February 28, 2019
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Novel rat tail discitis model using bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus
Phillip A Bostian1, Jonathan M Karnes1, Shari Cui1
1Department of Orthopaedics, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 9196, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-9196.
Summary
This study developed a rat model for spondylodiscitis using bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus. The model allows real-time infection monitoring, potentially reducing animal use in spinal infection research.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Research
- Infectious Disease Modeling
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Spondylodiscitis management presents significant clinical challenges.
- Effective medical and surgical treatments are crucial.
- A reliable animal model is needed for research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a novel rat model for spondylodiscitis.
- Utilize bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) for in vivo infection surveillance.
- Enable real-time quantification of infection intensity.
Main Methods:
- Injected varying concentrations of bioluminescent S. aureus (XEN36) into rat tail intervertebral discs.
- Used saline as a control.
- Monitored bioluminescence for 6 weeks, alongside radiographic and histologic analyses.
Main Results:
- Bioluminescence peaked at day 3 and normalized within 21 days.
- Highest intensity observed with the 10^6 CFU/0.1ml S. aureus concentration.
- Radiography and histology confirmed disc space loss, vertebral endplate destruction, and osseous bridging.
Conclusions:
- Injection of bioluminescent S. aureus in rats is a viable model for spondylodiscitis.
- This model allows in vivo quantification of infection.
- The model may reduce the number of animals needed for intervertebral disc infection studies.
