In the 1980's, the our laboratory's research centered on single cell unit recording. Postoperative infection was common in rabbits who had undergone the surgical procedure for electrophysiogical recording, which involved building and cementing a recording pedestal used to hold and stabilize the rabbit's head in the proper stereotaxic plane during these recording sessions. These complications usually surfaced a week or more after the surgical procedure. The post operative infection that began around the periphery of the recording pedestal would over time, penetrate and eat away at the bone, turning it to mush. Slowly, the damaged bone regrew and was replaced by healthy bone.
All standard treatments begin with the removal of the abscess and debriding the area.
Beads impregnated with an antibiotic indicated by culture and sensitivity are implanted in affected areas, allowing the slow release of the chosen antibiotic. These pockets of infection can lead to the formation of secondary abscesses from residual bacteria left in the vicinity of the main abscess, allowing infection to continue to spread. It is well- documented that abscesses contain a host of different bacteria, both aerobic and anaerobic. Enrofloxacin is not active against anaerobic bacteria, so administering this antibiotic as a standard treatment for abscesses may allow the proliferation of these anaerobes. Therefore it was imperative to find a safe, effective antibiotic that does not cause side- effects in the patient.