Rabbit model for the study of aortic graft infection.

Despite improvements in surgical technique and antimicrobial therapy, prosthetic aortic graft infections remain a challenging clinical problem. Diagnosis is difficult, and treatment results are less than optimal. An animal model is needed that will allow critical investigation of novel approaches in the therapy of aortic graft infections. Three-millimeter internal diameter polytetrafluoroethylene vascular prostheses were anastomosed as aortic interposition grafts in 25 rabbits. Increasing concentrations of Staphylococcus aureus (no bacteria to 1 x 10(8)) were applied topically to inserted grafts to initiate infection. There were 15 long-term survivors. Surviving rabbits were sacrificed at 2 weeks postoperatively to evaluate the development of aortic graft infection. Of the 15 survivors, 6 developed graft infection. All infected prosthetic aortas were innoculated with 1 x 10(4) or higher concentrations of S. aureus. A cost-effective, reliable model has been developed suitable for the study of prosthetic aortic infection.