In Vivo Mouse Model of Spinal Implant Infection

Summary

The protocol describes a novel in vivo mouse model of spinal implant infection where a stainless-steel k-wire implant is infected with bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus Xen36. Bacterial burden is monitored longitudinally with bioluminescent imaging and confirmed with colony forming unit counts after euthanasia.

Abstract

Spine implant infections portend poor outcomes as diagnosis is challenging and surgical eradication is at odds with mechanical spinal stability. The purpose of this method is to describe a novel mouse model of spinal implant infection (SII) that was created to provide an inexpensive, rapid, and accurate in vivo tool to test potential therapeutics and treatment strategies for spinal implant infections.

In this method, we present a model of posterior-approach spinal surgery in which a stainless-steel k-wire is transfixed into the L4 spinous process of 12-week old C57BL/6J wild-type mice and inoculated with 1 x 10³ CFU of a bioluminescent strain of Staphylococcus aureus Xen36 bacteria. Mice are then longitudinally imaged for bioluminescence in vivo on post-operative days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, and 35. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) signals from a standardized field of view are quantified to measure in vivo bacterial burden.

To quantify bacteria adhering to implants and peri-implant tissue, mice are euthanized and the implant and surrounding soft tissue are harvested. Bacteria are detached from the implant by sonication, cultured overnight and then colony forming units (CFUs) are counted. The results acquired from this method include longitudinal bacterial counts as measured by in vivo S. aureus bioluminescence (mean maximum flux) and CFU counts following euthanasia.

While prior animal models of instrumented spine infection have involved invasive, ex vivo tissue analysis, the mouse model of SII presented in this paper leverages noninvasive, real time in vivo optical imaging of bioluminescent bacteria to replace static tissue study. Applications of the model are broad and may include utilizing alternative bioluminescent bacterial strains, incorporating other types of genetically engineered mice to contemporaneously study host immune response, and evaluating current or investigating new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities such as antibiotics or implant coatings.

Introduction

The purpose of this method is to describe a novel mouse model of spinal implant infection (SII). This model was designed to provide an inexpensive and accurate tool to flexibly assess the effect of host, pathogen, and/or implant variables in vivo. Testing potential therapeutics and treatment strategies for spinal implant infections in this model is aimed at guiding research development prior to application in larger animal models and clinical trials.

Implant related infection after spine surgery is a devastating complication and unfortunately occurs in approximately 3–8% of patients undergoing elective spine surgery^1....

Protocol

All animals were handled in strict accordance with good animal practice as defined in the federal regulations as set forth in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), the 1996 Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, PHS Policy for the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, as well as the institution’s policies and procedures as set forth in the Animal Care and Use Training Manual, and all animal work was approved by the University of California Los Angeles Chancellor’s Animal Research Committee (ARC).

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Discussion

Implant related infections in the spine portend poor outcomes for patients^1,2,3,4,5. Unlike many other areas in the body, infected hardware in the spine frequently cannot be removed due to the risk of instability and neurologic compromise. This unique challenge in the setting of biofilm bacteria resistant to systemic antibiotic therapy necessitate novel approa.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Analytical Balance ME104	Mettler Toledo	30029067	120 g capacity, 0.1 mg readability, backlit LCD, internal adjustment, metal base
BD Bacto Tryptic Soy Broth	Becton Dickinson (BD)	BD 211825	BD Bacto Tryptic Soy Broth (Soybean-Casein Digest Medium)
Biomate 3S UV-VIS Spectrophotometer	Thermo Scientific	840-208300	Spectrophotometer; Thermo Scientific; BioMate 3S; Six-position cell holder; Spectral bandwidth: 1.8nm; Long-life xenon lamp; Store up to 40 test methods; 16L x 13W x 9 in. H; 19 lb.; 100/240V US line cord
Bioshield 720+ swinging bucket rotor	Thermo Scientific	75003183	Rotor, Swinging bucket; Thermo Scientific; BIOShield 720 high speed; Capacity: 4 x 180mL (0.72L); Angle: 90 deg. ; Max. speed/RCF: 6300rpm/7188 x g; Max. radius: 16.2cm
Branson Ultrasonics 2510R-MTH (Sonicator)	Branson Ultrasonics	CPX952217R	*similar model, our model is discontinued* Branson Ultrasonics MH Series Heated Ultrasonic Cleaning Bath, 120V, 0.75 gal
Bullet Blender Storm Homogenizer	Next Advance	BBY24M	The Bullet Blender Storm is the most powerful member of the Bullet Blender family. Homogenize up to 24 of your toughest samples (mouse femur, skin, cartilage, tumor, etc.) in just minutes. Air cooling™ minimizes sample heat up. Uses 1.5ml screw-cap RINO® tubes or snap-cap Eppendorf® Safe-lock™ tubes.
Germinator 500	Electron Microscopy Sciences	66118-10	The Germinator 500 is designed to decontaminate metal micro-dissecting instruments only. It is to be used exclusively for research purposes. The Germinator 500 should not be used as a substitute for traditional methods of terminal sterilization. Effective sterilization cannot be assured due to lack of routine sterilization-efficacy monitoring methods for glass bead sterilization. The Germinator 500 has been designed and built to pass the Validation of Dry Sterilizer Spore Suspension Test: USP XXIII, Part 1211.
Heracell 150i CO2 Incubator	Thermo Scientific	51026282	Single 150L
IVIS Lumina X5 Imaging System	Perkin Elmer	CLS148590	The IVIS Lumina X5 high-throughput 2D optical imaging system combines high-sensitivity bioluminescence and fluorescence with high-resolution x-ray into a compact system that fits on your benchtop. With an expanded 5 mouse field of view for 2D optical imaging plus our unique line of accessories to accelerate setup and labeling, it has never been easier or faster to get robust data—and answers—on anatomical and molecular aspects of disease.
MAXQ 4450 Digtial Incubating Bench Shaker	Thermo Scientific	SHKE4450	Shaker, Incubated; Thermo Scientific; Digital; MaxQ 4450; Speed 15 to 500rpm +/-1rpm; 5 deg. C above ambient to 80 deg. C; 120V 50/60Hz
PBS, Phosphate Buffered Saline	Fisher Bioreagents	BP24384	PBS, Phosphate Buffered Saline, 1X Solution, pH 7.4
Sorvall Legend Micro 21 Centrifuge, Ventilated	Thermo Scientific	75002436	24 x 1.5/2.0mL rotor with ClickSeal biocontainment lid
SORVALL LEGEND X1R 120V Centrifuge	Thermo Scientific	75004261	Centrifuge, Benchtop; Thermo Scientific; Sorvall Legend X1R (Refrigerated), 1L capacity; Max. Speed/RCF 15,200rpm/25,830 x g; CFC-free cooling -10C to +40C; 120V 60Hz
Staphylococcus aureus - Xen36	Perkin Elmer	119243	Staphylococcus aureus - Xen36 bioluminescent pathogenic bacteria for in vivo and in vitro drug discovery. This product was derived from a parental strain from the American Type Culture Collection, used under license. Staph. aureus-Xen36 possesses a stable copy of the Photorhabdus luminescens lux operon on the native plasmid.
TUTTNAUER AUTOCLAVE 2540E 120V	Heidolph Tuttnauer	23210401	Sterilizer, Benchtop; Heidolph; Tuttnauer; Model 2540E; Self-contained design with refillable reservoir controls water purity for sterilization; 120V 50/60Hz; 1400w. With electronic controls
Tween 80	Fisher Bioreagents	BP338-500	Tween 80, Fisher BioReagents, Non-ionic detergent for selective protein extraction
Vortex mixer VX-200	Labnet Internation	S0200	120V touch or continuous mixer, 230V: 0 - 2,850 rpm,120V: 0 - 3,400 rpm
0.9% Sodium Chloride	Pfizer Injectables/Hospira	00409-4888-10	0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP