Porcine model ofacomplicated skin and soft tissue infection caused byPseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses asignificant threat toboth immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals, often resulting inlife-threatening infections. With increasing antimicrobial resistance, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Although animal models are crucial for preclinical studies, limited data are available for porcine models, more specifically for P.aeruginosa complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs). This study presents anovel porcine model inducing and sustaining cSSTI for 14days. Six pigs (120wounds) were used for the development ofinfections, and within this group, two pigs (40wounds) were used toevaluate the progression ofthe cSSTI infection. The model demonstrated bacterial loads ofmore than 107CFU/gram oftissue orhigher. The cSSTI fully developed within three days and remained well above these levels until day 14post-infection. Due tothe immunocompetence ofthis model, all the immunological processes associated with the response tothe presence ofinfection and the wound healing process are preserved.