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Updated: Oct 16, 2025
Animal Model of Implant-Associated Infections in Mice
Published on: June 27, 2025
Current osteomyelitis mouse models, a systematic review
C Guarch-Pérez, M Riool, S Aj Zaat1
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. s.a.zaat@amsterdamumc.nl.
Abstract:
Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory bone disease caused by an infecting microorganism leading to a gradual bone loss. Due to the difficulty in studying osteomyelitis directly in patients, animal models allow researchers to investigate the pathogenesis of the infection and the development of novel prophylactic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial treatment strategies. This review is specifically focused on the in vivo mouse osteomyelitis studies available in literature. Thus, a systematic search on Web of Science and PubMed was conducted using the query "(infection) AND (mice OR mouse OR murine) AND (model OR models) AND (arthroplasty OR fracture OR (internal fixator) OR (internal fixation OR prosthesis OR implant OR osteomyelitis)". After critical assessment of the studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 135 studies were included in the detailed analysis. Based on the model characteristics, the studies were classified into five subject groups: haematogenous osteomyelitis, post-traumatic osteomyelitis, bone-implant-related infection, peri-prosthetic joint infection, fracture-related infection. In addition, the characteristics of the mice used, such as inbred strain, age or gender, the characteristics of the pathogens used, the inoculation methods, the type of anaesthesia and analgesia used during surgery and the procedures for evaluating the pathogenicity of the infecting micro-organism were described. Overall, the mouse is an excellent first step in vivo model to study the pathogenesis, inflammation and healing process of osteomyelitis and to evaluate novel prophylaxis and treatment strategies.
Insights
Mouse models are crucial for studying osteomyelitis, an inflammatory bone disease. This review analyzes 135 studies, detailing mouse models for infection pathogenesis and treatment strategy development.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Infectious Diseases
- Translational Research
Background:
- Osteomyelitis is a debilitating inflammatory bone disease causing gradual bone loss.
- Direct patient studies are challenging, necessitating reliable animal models.
- Mouse models offer a viable platform for investigating osteomyelitis pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and analyze in vivo mouse models of osteomyelitis.
- To classify existing models based on their characteristics and applications.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of methodologies used in mouse osteomyelitis research.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search on Web of Science and PubMed.
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria applied to select relevant studies.
- Classification of 135 selected studies into five osteomyelitis model categories.
Main Results:
- 135 in vivo mouse osteomyelitis studies were analyzed.
- Models were categorized into: hematogenous, post-traumatic, bone-implant, peri-prosthetic, and fracture-related infections.
- Detailed descriptions of mouse characteristics, pathogens, inoculation, anesthesia, and outcome measures were compiled.
Conclusions:
- Mouse models are essential for advancing osteomyelitis research.
- These models facilitate the study of infection pathogenesis, inflammation, and healing.
- They are valuable for evaluating novel prophylactic and therapeutic interventions for osteomyelitis.
