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The Cotton Rat as a Model for Staphylococcus aureus
Nasal Colonization in Humans
Cotton Rat S. aureus Nasal Colonization Model
John F. Kokai-Kun
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization is a well-known risk factor for development of
S. aureus infections in humans, but despite this established association, we are only beginning
to understand the factors, both host and pathogen, that play a role in the colonization of the
nares by S. aureus . The cotton rat is a model for many human respiratory pathogens and has
proved its utility as a robust model for S. aureus nasal colonization. In this animal model,
S. aureus is instilled in the nostrils of adult cotton rats, the bacteria rapidly colonize, and 7
days later S. aureus nasal colonization is enumerated by surgical removal of the nose and
recovery of the colonizing S. aureus . This model is an excellent animal model to allow for
the evaluation of the efficacy of various therapies, including semi-solid formulations, for
determination of their ability to eradicate S. aureus nasal colonization. Further, the cotton
rat model allows for assessment of the ability of defined genetic mutants of S. aureus to
colonize mucosal surfaces. Finally, this model has demonstrated its utility for the assessment
of various antigens as vaccine candidates to protect against S. aureus nasal colonization.
This chapter will discuss in detail the method to establish nasal colonization, treatment
and eradication of colonization, and recovery of the colonizing bacteria from the nose.
Key Words: Staphylococcus aureus ; nasal colonization; animal model; cotton rat;
therapy.
1. Introduction
The anterior nares is a primary ecologic niche for Staphylococcus aureus
(1,2,3) with 30% of the population being colonized at any one time (1) .
S. aureus nasal colonization is a well-established risk factor for S. aureus
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