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Updated: Jul 28, 2025
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Author Spotlight: Induction of Experimental Endotoxemic Shock in Pigs for Studying Hemodynamic and Respiratory Failure
Published on: December 8, 2023
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A model of porcine polymicrobial septic shock
Finnja Marie Zurek-Leffers1, Florian Lehmann1, Laura Brabenec1
1Department for Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.
Intensive Care Medicine Experimental
|June 1, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a novel pig model for polymicrobial sepsis that accurately mimics human septic shock. This model shows reproducible hemodynamic changes and organ dysfunction, offering a valuable tool for sepsis research.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Translational Research
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction from infection, has high mortality with limited treatment translation from animal models.
- Pigs offer anatomical, genetic, and immunological similarities to humans, making them suitable for disease modeling.
- Previous porcine sepsis models lacked standardization and failed to meet clinical septic shock criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate existing porcine models of septic shock.
- To establish a novel, clinically relevant model of polymicrobial septic shock in pigs.
- To provide a reliable platform for investigating sepsis pathophysiology and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a literature search for "pig", "sepsis", and "septic shock" studies.
- Established a polymicrobial fecal peritonitis model in 10 pigs under mechanical ventilation and invasive hemodynamic monitoring.
- Defined septic shock using Sepsis-3 criteria and initiated the 1-hour sepsis bundle for treatment.
Main Results:
- The novel model reliably induced septic shock within 4.8 hours, characterized by hypotension (MAP 54 mmHg) and hyperlactatemia (3.76 mmol/L).
- Observed elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, initial cardiac depression, followed by a hyperdynamic phase with decreased systemic vascular resistance.
- Documented organ dysfunction, specifically acute kidney injury, consistent with human sepsis progression.
Conclusions:
- Successfully established a porcine model of septic shock that aligns with human clinical criteria (Sepsis-3).
- This reproducible model serves as a valuable reference for future clinically relevant sepsis research in pigs.
- The model facilitates the study of sepsis pathophysiology and the evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies.
