TABLE 1.

Species utilized in osteomyelitis models, and characteristics of each that mimic human osteomyelitis

Species	Similarities to human osteomyelitis
Mouse	Diabetic NOD/ShiLtJ mouse line mimics human type 1 diabetes (major risk factor for osteomyelitis) 20
Rat	Sclerosing agents used for production of a model with a histopathology similar to human chronic osteomyelitis 32 Spagnolo’s model reported radiographic changes and new bone formation that closely resembles what is seen in human osteomyelitis 31
Rabbit	The rabbit opsonic antibody response to chronic osteomyelitis closely resembles the human antibody response to the infection 55
Pig	Porcine bone fracture stress values closely align with human bone 75 Bone composition is very similar to humans (second only to dogs) 75 Similar bone regenerative capabilities 84 Bacterial localization in the bones of juvenile pigs reflects what is seen with hematogenous osteomyelitis in human children 74
Dog	Very similar bone composition and density to when compared to human bone 75
Goat/sheep	Size allows for the use of human implants rather than adapted hardware 84 Represents a more accurate depiction of human body weight 89 Similar bone healing capacity 84 Vascular supply to the tibia (useful for hematogenous studies) is like that of humans. 89