Abstract: Aim To establish the experimental rabbit model of endocarditis caused by α-hemolytic streptococcus. Methods A sterile polythene catherer was inserted through the right carotid artery across the aortic valve into the left ventricle. 24h after the operation the animals were radomly divided into two groups. Control group and infection group. In the infection group into each animal 10⁸ CFU ahemolytic streptococcus was injected through peripheral ear vein, while in the control group I ml of normal saline was injected into each animal. 7 d after injection, all animals were saciified and the vegetations on aortic valve and endocardial wall of the left ventricle were removed, weighted, and the number of organisms in blood and vegetation was counted. Results Each infected animal had cardial valve vegetation and endocardial vegetation there were organisms in blood and vegetation. Conclusion This method maked it easy to establish a rabbit endocarditis model.

Key words: rabbit, endocarditis, α-hemolytic streptococcus