An Experimental Infective Endocarditis Model in Rats

Abstract

Objective: Infective endocarditis (IE) is defined as infection of the endocardial surface of the heart. Updates are needed in the diagnosis and treatment of IE, as well as in animal models of IE. Based on this need, a new model of infective endocarditis induced by S. aureus was described in our study. Methods: This study was performed on 7 Wistar albino male rats, each aged six months and weighing 250-300 g. Underwent the surgical implantation of a 20 G catheter, to gain access to right common carotid artery. Twenty-four hours after implantation, 0.5 ml 100.000 colony forming unit (cfu) of S. aureus was injected via the tail vein and 3 days later echocardiography was performed and rats subsequently sacrificed. IE was later diagnosed histopathologically. Results: Two of the rats were exitus one day after S. auerus was given. The mortality rate of the experiment was 28.5%. Histopathological examination revealed vegetations and bacterial colonization were detected in the endocardium in all rats that protruded from the endocardium to the cardiac cavity. Conclusion:Our study is the first study in the literature to identify the IE rat model using the 20 G catheter. Due to the practical application of the surgical procedure (use of 20 G catheter) in our study, we think that it will provide much convenience to the researchers in the experimental research on IE diagnosis and treatment.