Protocol for a murine skin abscess model to study bacterial infection dynamics, microbial interactions, and treatment efficacy

We present a murine skin abscess model to study pathogen-pathogen and host-pathogen interactions, infection progression, and therapeutic interventions. We outline steps for real-time monitoring of bacterial infection dynamics and host responses using bioluminescent or fluorescently labeled bacteria using IVIS (in vivo imaging system). We provide details to isolate bacterial and host RNA/DNA from infected tissues, enabling downstream transcriptomic and molecular analyses. This model offers a robust platform to study bacterial pathogenesis and host immunity and evaluate antimicrobial or innovative treatment strategies. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Pletzer et al.¹.