Foreign body infection: a new rat model for prophylaxis and treatment

A subcutaneous catheter model in the rat was developed that allowed the stu dy of prevention and treatment strategies for foreign body infection. In co ntrast to earlier models, the foreign body was inoculated with a low inocul um of Staphylococcus epidermidis just before implantation, thus mimicking i ntraoperative contamination with skin flora. Reproducible infection of all catheters followed if no prophylaxis was given. However, foreign body infec tion could be prevented or treated with antibiotics such as teicoplanin, wh ich was marginally effective, and rifampicin, which proved very effective.