Response of various animal species to experimental infection with different strains of Staphylococcus aureus

An experimental infection program was conducted in rabbits, pigs, and baboons with toxic shock syndrome (TSS)-associated and non-TSS-associated strains of Staphylococcus aureus to produce an animal model for TSS. TSS-associated strains of S. aureus--whether positive or negative for TSS toxin 1 (TSST-1)--could not be distinguished from non-TSS-associated strains of S. aureus by means of the rabbit whiffle-ball infection model; therefore, limited pilot infection studies were conducted in pigs and baboons. Experimental conditions were optimized in both the pig and the baboon studies to maximize the chance of producing TSS. Pigs infected with TSS-associated S. aureus strain CDC-11 developed some of the clinical signs observed in TSS (fever, hypotension, diarrhea, and vomiting). However, no changes were detected in clinical chemistry or hematology. Baboons infected with S. aureus strain CDC-11 showed only minimal signs of illness, i.e., lethargy, decreased food intake, and loose stools. TSS was not produced in pigs or baboons, even under optimal exposure conditions.