title: Brain microabscesses in a porcine model of Staphylococcus aureus sepsis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sepsis caused by Staphylococcus aureus often leads to brain microabscesses in humans. Animal models of haematogenous brain abscesses would be useful to study this condition in detail. Recently, we developed a model of S. aureus sepsis in pigs and here we report that brain microabscesses develop in pigs with such induced S. aureus sepsis.Twelve pigs were divided into three groups. Nine pigs received an intravenous inoculation of S. aureus once at time 0 h (group 1) or twice at time 0 h and 12 h (groups 2 and 3). In each group the fourth pig served as control. The pigs were euthanized at time 12 h (Group 1), 24 h (Group 2) and 48 h (Group 3) after the first inoculation. The brains were collected and examined histopathologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All inoculated pigs developed sepsis and seven out of nine pigs developed brain microabscesses. The microabscesses contained S. aureus and were located in the prosencephalon and mesencephalon. Chorioditis and meningitis occurred from 12 h after inoculation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pigs with experimental S. aureus sepsis often develop brain microabscesses. The porcine brain pathology mirrors the findings in human sepsis patients. We therefore suggest the pig as a useful animal model of the development of brain microabscesses caused by S. aureus sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Section of Experimental Animal Models, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. boye@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Lærke B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Astrup
authors.forename: Mette V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Tine M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Iburg
authors.forename: Páll S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Leifsson
authors.forename: Henrik E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Ole L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Jørgen S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Agerholm
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology