A rabbit model of staphylococcal blepharitis
B. J. Mondino, A. I. Caster and B. Dethlefs
Rabbits immunized with cell wall antigens of Staphylococcus aureus
developed blepharitis after topical challenge with viable S aureus. The
lids of these rabbits were thickened and erythematous. Crusting was found
around the lashes, and the lids developed loss of lashes and hair.
Histopathologic examination of lids from rabbits with blepharitis showed a
dense leukocytic infiltrate and dilated blood vessels beneath an intact
epidermis and palpebral conjunctival epithelium. The infiltrate contained
neutrophils as well as mononuclear cells, including macrophages, plasma
cells, and lymphocytes. The meibomian glands appeared normal. Gram's
staining of lid sections did not show gram-positive cocci. The results of
this study suggest that hypersensitivity to the S aureus cell wall, and
particularly the ribitol teichoic acid that it contains, plays a role in
the pathogenesis of staphylococcal blepharitis.
