A Murine Skin Wound Infection Model to Study the Immune Response against a Bacterial Pathogen

For Staph aureus inoculation, fill a 28-gauge insulin syringe with 50 microliters of the prepared bioluminescent bacterial inoculant, and use a finger to pull the dermis of the wounded animal to the side. Holding the syringe nearly parallel to the tissue, slowly insert the syringe into the tissue until a sudden decrease in resistance is felt, indicating piercing of the fascia.

With the needle placed in the center of the wound, slowly deliver the entire volume of the inoculant. Confirm that the inoculant forms a bubble at the center of the wound with minimal leakage or dispersion, and remove the syringe slowly from the animal. Then, return the animal to its cage with heat and monitoring until full recovery.