Guinea pig model for Staphylococcus aureus native valve endocarditis

Abstract

We present a new experimental model of Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis in guinea pigs. Permanent aortic valve damage was produced by electrocoagulation after catheterization of the right carotid artery, which allowed avoidance of the intracardiac catheter to produce cardiac vegetations. Our model closely mimics pathological mechanisms of native valve endocarditis.