Contamination of wounds with fecal bacteria in immuno-suppressed mice

Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 13;10(1):11494. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-68323-5.

Abstract

Immunocompromised patients are predisposed to chronically infected wounds. Especially ulcers in the dorsal region often experience secondary polymicrobial infections. However, current wound infection models mostly use single-strain bacteria. To mimic clinically occurring infections caused by fecal contamination in immunocompromised/immobile patients, which differ significantly from single-strain infections, the present study aimed at the establishment of a new mouse model using infection by fecal bacteria. Dorsal circular excision wounds in immunosuppressed mice were infected with fecal slurry solution in several dilutions up to 1:8,000. Impact of immunosuppressor, bacterial load and timing on development of wound infections was investigated. Wounds were analyzed by scoring, 3D imaging and swab analyses. Autofluorescence imaging was not successful. Dose-finding of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression was necessary for establishment of bacterial wound infections. Infection with fecal slurry diluted 1:166 to 1:400 induced significantly delayed wound healing (p < 0.05) without systemic reactions. Swab analyses post-infection matched the initial polymicrobial suspension. The customized wound score confirmed significant differences between the groups (p < 0.05). Here we report the establishment of a simple, new mouse model for clinically occurring wound infections by fecal bacteria and the evaluation of appropriate wound analysis methods. In the future, this model will provide a suitable tool for the investigation of complex microbiological interactions and evaluation of new therapeutic approaches.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Coinfection / drug therapy*
  • Coinfection / immunology
  • Coinfection / microbiology
  • Coinfection / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host / drug effects
  • Immunocompromised Host / immunology
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / adverse effects
  • Mice
  • Wound Healing / drug effects
  • Wound Healing / immunology
  • Wound Infection / drug therapy*
  • Wound Infection / immunology
  • Wound Infection / microbiology
  • Wound Infection / pathology
  • Wounds and Injuries / drug therapy*
  • Wounds and Injuries / immunology
  • Wounds and Injuries / microbiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents