An animal model of staphylococcal graft infection without mortality

Abstract number: 1134_04_99

Agalar C., Saygun O., Aydinuraz K., Pehlivanli F., Ceken S., Daphan C., Agalar F.

Objective:  

To constitute a valid and reproducible graft infection model without mortality in Wistar rats.

Method:  

In the first group of the study, 2 × 1 cm² polypropilen grafts were incubated in Brain Heart Broth containing slime positive S. epidermidis 2 × 10⁸ cfu /ml for 24 hours at 37°C. Incubated grafts, were then washed with physiologic saline. Under general anaesthesia, these grafts were placed subfascially to the groins of rats. In the second group naive polypropilen grafts were placed to the groins of rats. Before closing the fascia and skin 1 ml of slime positive S.epidermidis (3 × 10⁹ cfu/ml) containing sample were placed inside of the wounds. At the end of day 8, rats were killed; wounds were assessed with macroscopic evaluation and microscopic cultures in both groups.

Results:  

In the first group of the study, wound infection rate was 100%. No mortality occurred in this group. In one blood culture slime positive S. epidermidis was cultivated. In the second group, graft infection rate was only 20%. No mortality was seen in this group.

Conclusion:  

Incubation of polypropilen grafts in Brain Heart Broth containing slime positive S. epidermidis for 24 hours in pre application period enhances occurrence of graft infection without generating mortality. We propose to use this reproducible and valid animal model of staphylococcal graft infection in future studies.