Bacterial Endophthalmitis Mouse Model: A Method for Generating Bacterial Endophthalmitis via Intravitreal Injection of Bacterial Suspension into Eye of Mouse

Bacterial endophthalmitis is an inflammatory eye infection due to intraocular invasion of Bacillus cereus bacteria.

To generate bacterial endophthalmitis in a mouse model, place an anesthetized mouse laterally on the surgery board. Clamp the periocular skin to displace the eyeball and locate the limbus region — an intersection point of sclera and cornea in the eye.

Take a needle pre-filled with the Bacillus cereus culture suspension. Insert the needle at the limbus and pierce through the mid-vitreous region. Next, inject the bacterial suspension intravitreally, releasing the bacteria into the eye's vitreous cavity.

Now, remove the needle and allow the eyeball to regain its natural position. Transfer the mouse to a cage and monitor the spread of bacterial infection. Once inside, the bacteria replicate rapidly to increase in number. Subsequently, these bacteria use their flagella to migrate toward the retina.

Upon reaching the vitreoretinal space, bacteria secrete toxins and enzymes, which help them in invading the retina. Inside the retina, bacterial envelope proteins activate the retinal muller cells, producing inflammatory mediators to recruit inflammatory cells that damage the delicate retinal cells. Eventually, an influx of inflammatory cells into the eye’s interior causes endophthalmitis in the mouse eye.