Bioluminescence Imaging of Bacterial Infections in Mice

Abstract

Source: de Vries, C. R., et al., A Delayed Inoculation Model of Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Wound Infection. J. Vis. Exp. (2020).

This video demonstrates a bioluminescent imaging technique to monitor bacterial infection progression in a live mouse model. Pathogenic bacteria engineered with the luxABCDE reporter system emit light at the infection site, allowing visualization of metabolically active bacteria. By imaging the mouse over time, researchers can non-invasively track infection dynamics and quantify bioluminescent signal intensity.

Protocol

1. Preparation and growth of bacteria

1. Conduct all work with P. aeruginosa and animals with BSL-2 precautions per the researcher's institutional biosafety committee and animal use committee guidelines. Do all steps described here involving P. aeruginosa, including mouse inoculation, in a biosafety cabinet.
2. The luminescent PAO1:lux strain of P. aeruginosa is available from our lab upon request. Streak PAO1, stored as frozen glycerol stock, on Lysogeny Broth (LB) agar. For the luminescent PAO1:lux strain, LB agar should contain selective antibiotics (100 µg/mL carbenicillin and 12.5 µg/mL kanamycin). Grow at 37 °C overni....

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
0.9% Sodium Chloride injection	Hospira	2484457
18 G x 1 sterile needle	BD	305195
25 G x 1 1/5 sterile needle	BD	305127
Alcohol swab	BD	326895
Aura Imaging Software	Spectral Instruments Imaging	n/a
Betadine	Purdue Frederick Company	19-065534
Buprenorphine SR LAB	Zoopharm	n/a
C57BL/6J male mice	The Jackson Laboratory	664
Disposable biopsy punch, 6mm	Integra	33-36
Fine scissors - Tungsten Carbide	Fine Science Tools	14568-09
Glass Bead Dry Sterilizer	Harvard Apparatus	61-0183
Granulated Agar	Fisher BioReagents	BP9744
Heating Pad	Milliard	804879481218
Insulin syringe with 28 G needle	BD	329461
Lago X Imaging System	Spectral Instruments Imaging	n/a
LB broth	Fisher BioReagents	BP1426
Leur-Lok 1 mL syringe	BD	309628
Mini Arco Animal Trimmer	Wahl Professional	919152
Nair Hair Removal Lotion with Baby Oil	Church and Dwight	n/a	Available at any pharmacy
Octagon Forceps	Fine Science Tools	11041-08
Petri dish	Falcon	351029
Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) 1x	Corning	21-040-CV
Press and Seal Cling Wrap	Glad	n/a
SafetyGlide Insulin syringe with 30 G needle	BD	305934
Safetyglide Insulin syringe, 1/2 mL, 30 G x 5/16 TW	BD	305934
Scale	Ohaus Scout Pro	SP202
Supplical Nutritional Supplement	Henry Schein Animal Health	29908
Tegaderm, 6 cm x 7 cm	3M	1624W