A porcine model of haematogenous brain infectionwith staphylococcus aureus

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A PORCINE MODEL OF HAEMATOGENOUS BRAIN INFECTION WITH STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Astrup Lærke1, Agerholm Jørgen1, Nielsen Ole1, Jensen Henrik1,
Leifsson Páll1, Iburg Tine2.

1: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
boye@life.ku.dk
2: National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden

Introduction
Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) is a common cause of sepsis and brain abscesses in man and a frequent cause of porcine pyaemia. Here we present a porcine model of haematogenous S. aureus-induced brain infection.

Materials and Methods
Four pigs had two intravenous catheters inserted surgically, one in a. carotis communis and one in v. jugularis externa. All pigs received 106 CFU/kg body weight S. aureus through the arterial catheter. Bacteria were either suspended in isotonic saline infused at constant flow for 60 minutes (two pigs) or given as a bolus injection of autologoue thromboemboli (two pigs). The venous catheter was used for blood sampling before, during and after inoculation. The pigs were euthanized either 24 or 48 hours after inoculation. The brains were collected and examined histologically.

Results
We describe unifocal suppurative encephalitis 48 hours after inoculation with autologoue S. aureus thromoemboli. The other pigs developed mild diffuse cerebral oedema. The blood analyses showed a short period of bacteraemia.

Conclusion
Our pilot study proves it possible to establish embolic infection in the porcine brain through the normal circulatory pathway, when autologue thromboemboli are used. This was hitherto thought impossible due to the presence of rete mirabilis in this species.
Translated title of the contributionEn porcin model af hæmatogen hjerneinfektion med staphylococcus aureus
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2012
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 2012

ID: 41838188