Definition:
Animal models of infection are experimental systems in which animals are deliberately exposed to pathogens to study the mechanisms of infectious disease, host–pathogen interactions, and the efficacy of antimicrobial therapies.

They provide a controlled environment to replicate key aspects of human infections, allowing researchers to investigate disease progression, immune responses, and the pharmacological and toxicological properties of candidate treatments.

Although no single animal model can fully reproduce human disease, these models remain essential tools for translational research, bridging the gap between in vitro findings and clinical studies.

The selection of an animal model for testing a drug candidate depends on several factors, including how well the animal infection replicates the human disease, the ability to achieve drug exposures comparable to those in humans, species- and drug-specific pharmacokinetic differences, and overall financial considerations.

The choice of which animal model to test a drug candidate depends on many factors including:

  • animal infection proven to simulate to human infection
  • drug exposure expected to simulate human drug exposure
  • animal-specific and drug-specific dosing and clearance factors
  • financial cost.

 

Examples of animal models of infection and their application:

Animal model Infection type Main applications
Mouse Sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, thigh infection Pathogenesis studies; PK/PD evaluation; antibiotic efficacy testing
Rat Endocarditis, pneumonia, sepsis Pathogenesis studies; evaluation of antibiotic regimens; treatment optimization
Rabbit Meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, skin and soft tissue infections, Pathogenesis studies; CNS infection models; antibiotic penetration studies
Guinea Pig Tuberculosis, pneumonia, sexually transmitted infections Pathogenesis studies; host–pathogen interaction; granuloma formation; TB drug testing
Non-human primate Tuberculosis, sepsis, gastrointestinal infection Pathogenesis studies; translational models for advanced efficacy, immunology, and vaccine studies

 

See also: Animal model, efficacy, Animal efficacy rule, Animal model, toxicity

 

 

 

More information:
Tags:
Encyclopaedia, PK/PD, Preclinical development, Toxicology, Bloodstream infection, HAP/VAP, IAI, Pneumonia, SSTI, STI, Tuberculosis, UTI, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus