@article {gordon_rabbit_2020,
	title = {Rabbit model of Staphylococcus aureus implant-associated spinal infection},
	journal = {Disease Models \& Mechanisms},
	volume = {13},
	number = {7},
	year = {2020},
	note = {Publisher: The Company of Biologists Ltd Section: RESOURCE ARTICLE},
	month = {jul},
	abstract = {Skip to Next Section Post-surgical implant-associated spinal infection is a devastating complication commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Biofilm formation is thought to reduce penetration of antibiotics and immune cells, contributing to chronic and difficult-to-treat infections. A rabbit model of a posterior-approach spinal surgery was created, in which bilateral titanium pedicle screws were interconnected by a plate at the level of lumbar vertebra L6 and inoculated with a methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) bioluminescent strain. In vivo whole-animal bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and ex vivo bacterial cultures demonstrated a peak in bacterial burden by day 14, when wound dehiscence occurred. Structures suggestive of biofilm, visualized by scanning electron microscopy, were evident up to 56 days following infection. Infection-induced inflammation and bone remodeling were also monitored using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT). PET imaging signals were noted in the soft tissue and bone surrounding the implanted materials. CT imaging demonstrated marked bone remodeling and a decrease in dense bone at the infection sites. This rabbit model of implant-associated spinal infection provides a valuable preclinical in vivo approach to investigate the pathogenesis of implant-associated spinal infections and to evaluate novel therapeutics.},
	issn = {1754-8403, 1754-8411},
	doi = {10.1242/dmm.045385},
	url = {https://dmm.biologists.org/content/13/7/dmm045385},
	author = {Gordon, Oren and Miller, Robert J. and Thompson, John M. and Ordonez, Alvaro A. and Klunk, Mariah H. and Dikeman, Dustin A. and Joyce, Daniel P. and Ruiz-Bedoya, Camilo A. and Miller, Lloyd S. and Jain, Sanjay K.}
}
