A rat model of polypropylene graft infection caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to constitute a valid graft infection model with Staphylococcus epidermidis in rats.


METHODS
Rats were divided into seven groups. In groups 1 and 2, 2 cm x 2 cm polypropylene grafts were incubated with 10(8) c.f.u./mL slime-positive S. epidermidis at 37 degrees C for 2 and 24 h and were then placed subfascially to the groins of rats. In the third group, naive grafts were placed and 0.5 mL of 3 x 10(7) c.f.u. slime-positive S. epidermidis were injected on the inside of the wounds. Rifampicin (30 mg/kg) in group 4 and teicoplanin (20 mg/kg) in group 5 were applied i.p. to rats with 2-h incubated grafts for prophylaxis. The same prophylactic regimens were given to groups 6 and 7 in which rats were incubated for 24 h. At eighth day, rats were killed and wounds were assessed with macroscopic evaluation and cultures.


RESULTS
No death occurred in any of the groups. In groups 1 and 2, 100% infection rates were achieved. However, graft infection was detected in only two (20%) of the rats in group 3 (P = 0.001). Prophylactic application of teicoplanin or rifampicin decreased the infection rates significantly in the short-incubation groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Incubation of polypropylene grafts with slime-producing S. epidermidis for 2 and 24 h in the pre-application period achieved the occurrence of a standardized graft infection. Prophylactic use of teicoplanin and rifampicin decreased the infection rates. We propose to use this reproducible and reliable animal model of graft infection in future studies.
Agalar
Canan
C
Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Kirikkale University Medical School, Kirikkale, Turkey.
Ozdogan
Mehmet
M
Agalar
Fatih
F
Saygun
Oral
O
Aydinuraz
Kuzey
K
Akkuş
Abdullah
A
Ceken
Sabahat
S
Akturk
Selcuk
S
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology
D011126:Polypropylenes