This communication reports preliminary data towards the development of a live ex vivo model of persistent infection that is based on the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), which can be used for pre-screening biomaterials with antimicrobial properties for their antimicrobial and angiogenic potential. Our results showed that it was possible to infect chicken embryos with Staphylococcus aureus, one of the main types of bacteria found in the persistent infection associated with chronic wounds, and maintain the embryos' survival for up to 48 h. Survival of the embryos varied with the dose of bacteria inoculum and with the use and time of streptomycin application after infection. In infected yet viable embryos, the blood vessels network of the CAM was maintained with minimal disruption. Microbiological tests could confirm embryo infection, but quantification was difficult. By publishing these preliminary results, we hope that not only our group but others within the scientific community further this research towards the establishment of biomimetic and reproducible ex vivo models of persistent infection.
Keywords: biomaterials; chick embryo CAM; chronic wounds; ex ovo; infection.