Implant retention in a rabbit model of fracture-related infection

Aims

Fracture-related infection (FRI) is commonly classified based on the time of onset of symptoms. Early infections (< two weeks) are treated with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR). For late infections (> ten weeks), guidelines recommend implant removal due to tolerant biofilms. For delayed infections (two to ten weeks), recommendations are unclear. In this study we compared infection clearance and bone healing in early and delayed FRI treated with DAIR in a rabbit model.

Methods

Staphylococcus aureus was inoculated into a humeral osteotomy in 17 rabbits after plate osteosynthesis. Infection developed for one week (early group, n = 6) or four weeks (delayed group, n = 6) before DAIR (systemic antibiotics: two weeks, nafcillin + rifampin; four weeks, levofloxacin + rifampin). A control group (n = 5) received revision surgery after four weeks without antibiotics. Bacteriology of humerus, soft-tissue, and implants was performed seven weeks after revision surgery. Bone healing was assessed using a modified radiological union scale in tibial fractures (mRUST).

Results

Greater bacterial burden in the early group compared to the delayed and control groups at revision surgery indicates a retraction of the infection from one to four weeks. Infection was cleared in all animals in the early and delayed groups at euthanasia, but not in the control group. Osteotomies healed in the early group, but bone healing was significantly compromised in the delayed and control groups.

Conclusion

The duration of the infection from one to four weeks does not impact the success of infection clearance in this model. Bone healing, however, is impaired as the duration of the infection increases.

The 2023 Orthopaedic Research Society International Consensus Meeting on musculoskeletal infection

The Orthopaedic Research Society's Research Interest Group completed its international consensus meeting (ICM) on musculoskeletal infections (MSKI) following the 2023 Annual Meeting. The work products from this ICM include the 65 questions with recommendation and rationale, and the voting results from the 72 delegates. There are also five Consensus Articles in this issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Research from the ICM Sections: Host Immunity, Established Infection-Treatment, Clinical Questions not addressed by the prior MSKI ICMs, In Vitro, and Animal Models. This Introduction summarizes the 3-year Delphi process used by the ICM with timelines and critical milestones. It also highlights several challenges that had to be addressed, and a large body of work that remains.

Peri-anesthetic hypothermia in rodents: A factor to consider for accurate and reproducible outcomes in orthopedic device-related infection studies

Orthopedic device-related infection (ODRI) preclinical models are widely used in translational research. Most ODRI models require induction of general anesthesia, which frequently results in hypothermia in rodents. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of peri-anesthetic hypothermia in rodents on outcomes in preclinical ODRI studies. A retrospective analysis of all rodents that underwent surgery under general anesthesia to induce an ODRI model with inoculation of Staphylococcus epidermidis between 2016 and 2020 was conducted. A one-way multivariate analysis of covariance (one-way MANCOVA) was used to determine the fixed effect of peri-anesthetic hypothermia (hypothermic defined as rectal temperature <35°C) on the combined harvested tissue and implant colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, and having controlled for the study groups including treatments received, duration of surgery and anesthesia, and study period. The results showed a significant effect of peri-anesthetic hypothermia on the post-mortem combined CFU counts from the harvested tissue and implant(s) (p = 0.01) when comparing normo- versus hypothermic rodents. Using Wilks' Λ as a criterion to determine the contribution of independent variables to the model, peri-anesthetic hypothermia was the most significant, though still a weak predictor, of increased harvested CFU counts. Altogether, the data corroborate the concept that bacterial colonization is affected by abnormal body temperature during general anesthesia at the time of bacterial inoculation in rodents, which needs to be taken into consideration to decrease infection data variability and improve experimental reproducibility.

Bone infection: a clinical priority for clinicians, scientists and educators

Bone infection has received increasing attention in recent years as one of the main outstanding clinical problems in orthopaedic-trauma surgery that has not been successfully addressed. In fact, infection may develop across a spectrum of patient types regardless of the level of perioperative management, including antibiotic prophylaxis. Some of the main unknown factors that may be involved, and the main targets for future intervention, include more accurate and less invasive diagnostic options, more thorough and accurate debridement protocols, and more potent and targeted antimicrobials. The underlying biology dominates the clinical management of bone infections, with features such as biofilm formation, osteolysis and vascularisation being particularly influential. Based on the persistence of this problem, an improved understanding of the basic biology is deemed necessary to enable innovation in the field. Furthermore, from the clinical side, better evidence, documentation and outreach will be required to translate these innovations to the patient. This review presents the findings and progress of the AO Trauma Clinical Priority Program on the topic of bone infection.

Editorial - Infectious-disease research during a pandemic: the importance of global unity

The orthopaedic and trauma community have faced the threat of infection since the introduction of operative fracture fixation many decades ago. The parallel emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in clinically relevant pathogens has the potential to significantly complicate patient care. This editorial serves to provide a global context to the issue of antimicrobial resistance and how infectious disease research in general plays a crucial role both on a global scale as evidenced by the current pandemic, but also on a more personal scale for the daily management of orthopaedic trauma patients. The special issue on Orthopaedic Infection in the eCM journal provides a snapshot of the clinically relevant basic research that is being performed in this field.

A murine Staphylococcus aureus fracture-related infection model characterised by fracture non-union, staphylococcal abscess communities and myeloid-derived suppressor cells

A fracture-related infection (FRI) is a serious complication that can occur after surgical fixation of bone fractures. Affected patients may encounter delayed healing and functional limitations. Although it is well established that Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the main causative pathogen of an FRI, the pathophysiology of an S. aureus-induced FRI is not well characterised over time. Therefore, an experimental study in mice comparing S. aureus-inoculated and non-inoculated groups was performed that particularly focused on staphylococcal abscess communities (SACs) and host cellular response. C57Bl/6N female mice received a double osteotomy of the femur, which was stabilised using a titanium 6-hole MouseFix locking plate and four screws. Animals were either S. aureus-inoculated or non-inoculated and euthanised between 1 and 28 d post-surgery. Histopathological evaluation showed normal bone healing for non-inoculated mice, whereas inoculated mice had no fracture consolidation and severe osteolysis. Within the bone marrow of inoculated mice, SACs were observed from 7 d, which increased in size and number over time. A fibrin pseudocapsule enclosed the SACs, which were surrounded by many Ly6G+ neutrophils with some Ly6C+ monocytes and F4/80+ macrophages, the majority of which were viable. The abscesses were encapsulated by fibrin(ogen), collagen and myofibroblasts, with regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages at the periphery. Only bone marrow monocytes and neutrophils of inoculated mice displayed functional suppression of T cells, indicative of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The present study revealed that an FRI in mice is persistent over time and associated with osteolysis, SAC formation and an immunosuppressive environment.

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug carprofen negatively impacts new bone formation and antibiotic efficacy in a rat model of orthopaedic-device-related infection

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for pain management during recovery from orthopaedic surgery. NSAID use is associated with increased risk of bone healing complications but it is currently unknown whether NSAIDs increase the risk of developing an orthopaedic-device-related infection (ODRI) and/or affects its response to antibiotic therapy. The present study aimed to determine if administration of the NSAID carprofen [a preferential cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor] negatively affected Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) bone infection, or its subsequent treatment with antibiotics, in a rodent ODRI model. Sterile or S. epidermidis-contaminated screws (~ 1.5 x 10⁶ CFU) were implanted into the proximal tibia of skeletally mature female Wistar rats, in the absence or presence of daily carprofen administration. A subset of infected animals received antibiotics (rifampicin plus cefazolin) from day 7 to 21, to determine if carprofen affected antibiotic efficacy. Bone changes were monitored using in vivo µCT scanning and histological analysis. The risk of developing an infection with carprofen administration was assessed in separate animals at day 9 using a screw contaminated with 10² CFU S. epidermidis. Quantitative bacteriological analysis assessed bacterial load at euthanasia. In the 28-day antibiotic treatment study, carprofen reduced osteolysis but markedly diminished reparative bone formation, although total bacterial load was not affected at euthanasia. Antibiotic efficacy was negatively affected by carprofen (carprofen: 8/8 infected; control: 2/9 infected). Finally, carprofen increased bacterial load and diminished bone formation following reduced S. epidermidis inoculum (10² CFU) at day 9. This study suggests that NSAIDs with COX-2 selectivity reduce antibiotic efficacy and diminish reparative responses to S. epidermidis ODRI.

Single-stage revision of MRSA orthopedic device-related infection in sheep with an antibiotic-loaded hydrogel

Local antimicrobial therapy is an integral aspect of treating orthopedic device-related infection (ODRI), which is conventionally administered via polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement. PMMA, however, is limited by a suboptimal antibiotic release profile and a lack of biodegradability. In this study, we compare the efficacy of PMMA versus an antibiotic-loaded hydrogel in a single-stage revision for chronic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ODRI in sheep. Antibiofilm activity of the antibiotic combination (gentamicin and vancomycin) was determined in vitro. Swiss alpine sheep underwent a single-stage revision of a tibial intramedullary nail with MRSA infection. Local gentamicin and vancomycin therapy was delivered via hydrogel or PMMA (n = 5 per group), in conjunction with systemic antibiotic therapy. In vivo observations included: local antibiotic tissue concentration, renal and liver function tests, and quantitative microbiology on tissues and hardware post-mortem. There was a nonsignificant reduction in biofilm with an increasing antibiotic concentration in vitro (p = 0.12), confirming the antibiotic tolerance of the MRSA biofilm. In the in vivo study, four out of five sheep from each treatment group were culture-negative. Antibiotic delivery via hydrogel resulted in 10-100 times greater local concentrations for the first 2-3 days compared with PMMA and were comparable thereafter. Systemic concentrations of gentamicin were minimal or undetectable in both groups, while renal and liver function tests were within normal limits. This study shows that a single-stage revision with hydrogel or PMMA is equally effective, although the hydrogel offers certain practical benefits over PMMA, which make it an attractive proposition for clinical use.

Impact of low bone mass and antiresorptive therapy on antibiotic efficacy in a rat model of orthopedic device-related infection

A significant proportion of orthopedic devices are implanted in osteoporotic patients, but it is currently unclear how estrogen deficiency and/or exposure to antiresorptive bisphosphonates (BPs) influence orthopedic device-related infection (ODRI), or response to therapy. The aim of this study is to characterize the bone changes resulting from Staphylococcus epidermidis infection in a rodent ODRI model and to determine if ovariectomy (OVX) or BP treatment influences the infection or the success of antibiotic therapy. A sterile or S. epidermidis-contaminated screw was implanted into the proximal tibia of skeletally mature female Wistar rats (n = 6-9 per group). Bone changes were monitored over 28 days using in vivo micro-computed tomography scanning. OVX was performed 12 weeks before screw implantation. The BP zoledronic acid (ZOL) was administered 4 days before screw insertion. A combination antibiotic regimen (rifampin plus cefazolin) was administered from Days 7-21. In skeletally healthy animals, S. epidermidis induced marked changes in bone, with peak osteolysis occurring at Day 9 and woven bone deposition and periosteal mineralization from Day 14 onwards. Antibiotic therapy cleared the infection in the majority of animals (2/9 infected) but did not affect bone responses. OVX did not affect the pattern of infection-induced changes in bone, nor bacterial load, but reduced antibiotic efficacy (5/9 infected). ZOL treatment did not protect from osteolysis in OVX animals, or further affect antibiotic efficacy (5/9 infected) but did significantly increase the bacterial load. This study suggests that both BPs and OVX can influence host responses to bone infections involving S. epidermidis.

Poly(Aspartic Acid) Functionalized Poly(ϵ-Caprolactone) Microspheres with Enhanced Hydroxyapatite Affinity as Bone Targeting Antibiotic Carriers

Bone infection is a feared complication for patients with surgically fixed bone fractures and local antibiotic delivery is important in prophylaxis and treatment of these infections. Recent studies indicated that Staphylococcus aureus can penetrate bone tissue through micron-sized canaliculi and evade systemic and currently available local antibiotic treatments. Targeting bacteria within the bone requires highly efficient delivery of antimicrobials to the infected bone tissue. In this work, a biodegradable microsphere carrier loaded with antibiotics and with specific affinity to bone mineral was developed. Two widely used antibiotics, i.e., Gentamicin-dioctyl sulfosuccinate (GM-AOT) and Ciprofloxacin (CF) were embedded in poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) microspheres fabricated by oil-in-water emulsion techniques with carboxylated poly(vinyl alcohol) (cPVA) as surfactant. The carboxylic acid groups present at the Poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/cPVA (PCL-cPVA) microsphere surface were functionalized with aspartic acid oligomers (ASP) granting bone targeting properties. We report on cPVA synthesis, microsphere formulation, and antibiotic loading of PCL/cPVA-ASP microspheres. Antibiotic loaded PCL/cPVA-ASP microspheres show sustained release of its antibiotic load and can inhibit bacterial growth in vitro for up to 6 days. PCL/cPVA-ASP microspheres show enhanced affinity to mineralized substrates compared to non-functionalized PCL/cPVA microspheres. These findings support further development of these bone targeting antibiotic carriers for potential treatment of persistent bone infections.

Bacteriophage therapy as a treatment strategy for orthopaedic-device-related infections: where do we stand?

Antibiotic resistance represents a key challenge of the 21st century. Since the pipeline of new antibiotics in development is limited, the introduction of alternative antimicrobial strategies is urgently required. Bacteriophage therapy, the use of bacterial viruses to selectively kill bacterial pathogens, is re-emerging as a potential strategy to tackle difficult-to-treat and multidrug-resistant pathogens. The last decade has seen a surge in scientific investigation into bacteriophage therapy, including targeting orthopaedic-device-related infections (ODRIs) in several successful case studies. However, pharmacological data, knowledge on the interplay with the immune system and, especially in ODRIs, the optimal local application strategy and treatment outcomes remain scarce. The present review reports the state-of-the-art in bacteriophage therapy in ODRIs and addresses the hurdles in establishing bacteriophage therapy under good clinical practice guidelines. These hurdles include a lack of data concerning bacteriophage production, processing, administration and dosing, as well as follow-up clinical monitoring reports. To overcome these challenges, an integrated clinical approach is required, supported by comprehensive legislature to enable expansive and correctly implemented clinical trials.

Current Concepts of Osteomyelitis: From Pathologic Mechanisms to Advanced Research Methods

Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bone and bone marrow that is most commonly caused by a Staphylococcus aureus infection. Much of our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of osteomyelitis, from the perspective of both host and pathogen, has been revised in recent years, with notable discoveries including the role played by osteocytes in the recruitment of immune cells, the invasion and persistence of S. aureus in submicron channels of cortical bone, and the diagnostic role of polymorphonuclear cells in implant-associated osteomyelitis. Advanced in vitro cell culture models, such as ex vivo culture models or organoids, have also been developed over the past decade, and have become widespread in many fields, including infectious diseases. These models better mimic the in vivo environment, allow the use of human cells, and can reduce our reliance on animals in osteomyelitis research. In this review, we provide an overview of the main pathologic concepts in osteomyelitis, with a focus on the new discoveries in recent years. Furthermore, we outline the value of modern in vitro cell culture techniques, with a focus on their current application to infectious diseases and osteomyelitis in particular.

Development of bone seeker-functionalised microspheres as a targeted local antibiotic delivery system for bone infections

Objective

Bone infections are challenging to treat because of limited capability of systemic antibiotics to accumulate at the bone site. To enhance therapeutic action, systemic treatments are commonly combined with local antibiotic-loaded materials. Nevertheless, available drug carriers have undesirable properties, including inappropriate antibiotic release profiles and nonbiodegradability. To alleviate such limitations, we aim to develop a drug delivery system (DDS) for local administration that can interact strongly with bone mineral, releasing antibiotics at the infected bone site.

Methods

Biodegradable polyesters (poly (ε-caprolactone) or poly (D,l-lactic acid)) were selected to fabricate antibiotic-loaded microspheres by oil in water emulsion. Antibiotic release and antimicrobial effects on Staphylococcus aureus were assessed by zone of inhibition measurements. Microsphere bone affinity was increased by functionalising the bisphosphonate drug alendronate to the microsphere surface using carbodiimide chemistry. Effect of bone targeting microspheres on bone homeostasis was tested by looking at the resorption potential of osteoclasts exposed to the developed microspheres.

Results

In vitro, the antibiotic release profile from the microspheres was shown to be dependent on the polymer used and the microsphere preparation method. Mineral binding assays revealed that microsphere surface modification with alendronate significantly enhanced interaction with bone-like materials. Additionally, alendronate functionalised microspheres did not differentially affect osteoclast mineral resorption in vitro, compared with nonfunctionalised microspheres.

Conclusion

We report the development and characterisation of a DDS which can release antibiotics in a sustained manner. Surface-grafted alendronate groups enhanced bone affinity of the microsphere construct, resulting in a bone targeting DDS.

The Translational Potential of this Article

The DDS presented can be loaded with hydrophobic antibiotics, representing a potential, versatile and biodegradable candidate to locally treat bone infection.

Clinical practice in prevention of fracture-related infection: An international survey among 1197 orthopaedic trauma surgeons

INTRODUCTION

Open fractures are still a challenge in orthopaedic trauma surgery, and compared to closed fractures, the rate of complications including fracture-related infection (FRI) remains significantly higher. Although different guidelines on prevention of FRI have been published in past decades, the current recommendations vary significantly. The objectives of this international questionnaire were to evaluate clinical practice procedures for the prevention of FRI in open fractures and to evaluate adherence to available guidelines.

METHODS

A 17-item questionnaire regarding prophylaxis against infection in fracture care was administered by SurveyMonkey® and was sent via blast e-mail to all users of AOTrauma (Davos, Switzerland).

RESULTS

Overall, 1197 orthopaedic trauma surgeons answered the survey. Although cephalosporins were the most commonly prescribed agents for perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) in open fractures, a total of 13 different antibiotics were mentioned in the survey. Furthermore, the duration of PAP was extremely variable with a tendency towards longer treatment periods with increasing open fracture severity. The majority of surgeons (71%) agreed that the optimal duration of PAP was not well defined in the literature. The use of local anti-infective agents varied significantly, although all options received additional votes with increasing injury severity. Some of the other surgical aspects addressed in this review were associated with debridement and irrigation. A delay of six hours from injury to the first debridement was acceptable to 47% of surgeons, but delays were tolerable. Normal saline was the solution used most often for wound irrigation in open fractures (89%), with low-pressure irrigation being applied most commonly (55%).

CONCLUSIONS

This international survey provided an overview of clinical practice in FRI prevention, particularly in open fracture cases. The treatment of these serious injuries remains heterogeneous. A major issue is the lack of consensus concerning type and duration of PAP. Furthermore, there seems to be no agreement on the indication for the use of local anti-infective agents. Overall, it is unknown what the repercussions are of this lack of internationally accepted guidelines on daily clinical practice, but it is clear that standardised treatment protocols are preferable in the current medical landscape.

Preclinical in vivo models of fracture-related infection: a systematic review and critical appraisal

A fracture-related infection (FRI) is an important complication that can lead to an increase in morbidity, mortality and economic costs. Preclinical in vivo models are critical in the evaluation of novel prevention and treatment strategies, yet it is important that these studies recapitulate the features of an FRI that make it such a clinical challenge. The aim of this systematic review was to survey the available preclinical models of FRIs and assess which of the key FRI-specific parameters are incorporated in these models. A comprehensive search was performed on July 1st 2017 in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. Overall, 75 preclinical studies were identified, 97.3 % (n = 73) of which use Staphylococcus aureus as the causative microorganism. The most common mode for creation of bone instability is an osteotomy (n = 30; 40 %), followed by the creation of a defect (n = 26; 34.7 %). An actual fracture is created in only 19 studies (25.3 %). 12 (16 %) of the models include a time gap between bacterial inoculation and fixation to mimic the time-to-treatment in clinical open fracture scenarios. This systematic review reveals that animal models used in translational research on prevention and treatment of FRIs rarely incorporate all key clinical features in one model and that there is an over-representation of S. aureus in comparison to actual clinical epidemiology. To improve the relevance of these studies, existing preclinical models should be adapted or new models developed that better recapitulate the clinical condition of FRI.

The effect of local antibiotic prophylaxis when treating open limb fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

As well as debridement and irrigation, soft-tissue coverage, and osseous stabilization, systemic antibiotic prophylaxis is considered the benchmark in the management of open fractures and considerably reduces the risk of subsequent fracture-related infections (FRI). The direct application of antibiotics in the surgical field (local antibiotics) has been used for decades as additional prophylaxis in open fractures, although definitive evidence confirming a beneficial effect is scarce. The purpose of the present study was to review the clinical evidence regarding the effect of prophylactic application of local antibiotics in open limb fractures.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. Cohort studies investigating the effect of additional local antibiotic prophylaxis compared with systemic prophylaxis alone in the management of open fractures were included and the data were pooled in a meta-analysis.

Results

In total, eight studies which included 2738 patients were eligible for quantitative synthesis. The effect of antibiotic-loaded poly(methyl methacrylate) beads was investigated by six of these studies, and two studies evaluated the effect of local antibiotics applied without a carrier. Meta-analysis showed a significantly lower infection rate when local antibiotics were applied (4.6%; 91/1986) than in the control group receiving standard systemic prophylaxis alone (16.5%; 124/752) (p < 0.001) (odds ratio 0.30; 95% confidence interval 0.22 to 0.40).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggests a risk reduction in FRI of 11.9% if additional local antibiotics are given prophylactically for open limb fractures. However, due to limited quality, heterogeneity, and considerable risk of bias, the pooling of data from primary studies has to be interpreted with caution.

Cite this article: M. Morgenstern, A. Vallejo, M. A. McNally, T. F. Moriarty, J. Y. Ferguson, S. Nijs, WJ. Metsemakers. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:447–456. The effect of local antibiotic prophylaxis when treating open limb fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.77.BJR-2018-0043.R1

Infections associated with mesh repairs of abdominal wall hernias: Are antimicrobial biomaterials the longed-for solution?

The incidence of mesh-related infection after abdominal wall hernia repair is low, generally between 1 and 4%; however, worldwide, this corresponds to tens of thousands of difficult cases to treat annually. Adopting best practices in prevention is one of the keys to reduce the incidence of mesh-related infection. Once the infection is established, however, only a limited number of options are available that provides an efficient and successful treatment outcome. Over the past few years, there has been a tremendous amount of research dedicated to the functionalization of prosthetic meshes with antimicrobial properties, with some receiving regulatory approval and are currently available for clinical use. In this context, it is important to review the clinical importance of mesh infection, its risk factors, prophylaxis and pathogenicity. In addition, we give an overview of the main functionalization approaches that have been applied on meshes to confer anti-bacterial protection, the respective benefits and limitations, and finally some relevant future directions.

Local application of a gentamicin-loaded thermo-responsive hydrogel allows for fracture healing upon clearance of a high Staphylococcus aureus load in a rabbit model

Antibiotic-loaded biomaterials (ALBs) have emerged as a potential useful adjunctive antimicrobial measure for the prevention of infection in open fracture care. A biodegradable thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) grafted hyaluronic acid (HApN) hydrogel loaded with gentamicin has recently been shown to prevent implant-related infection in a rabbit osteosynthesis model. The primary aim of this study was to determine the influence of this HApN hydrogel on bone healing at an early stage (4 weeks). A rabbit humeral osteotomy model with plating osteosynthesis was used to compare fracture healing in rabbits receiving the hydrogel as compared with control animals. The secondary aim was to observe fracture healing in groups treated with and without antibiotic-loaded hydrogel in the presence of bacterial contamination. In all groups, outcome measures were mechanical stability and histological score, with additional quantitative bacteriology in the inoculated groups. Application of the HApN hydrogel in non-inoculated rabbits did not significantly influence humeral stiffness or histological scores for fracture healing in comparison to controls. In the inoculated groups, animals receiving the bacterial inoculum without hydrogel were culture-positive at euthanasia and found to display lower humeral stiffness values and higher histopathological scores for bacterial presence in comparison with equivalents receiving the gentamicin-loaded HApN hydrogel, which were also infection-free. In summary, our data showed that HApN was an effective antibiotic carrier that did not affect fracture healing. This data supported its suitability for application in fracture care. Addition of osteopromotive compounds could provide further support for accelerating fracture healing in addition to successful infection prophylaxis.

Infection after fracture fixation: Current surgical and microbiological concepts

One of the most challenging complications in trauma surgery is infection after fracture fixation (IAFF). IAFF may result in permanent functional loss or even amputation of the affected limb in patients who may otherwise be expected to achieve complete, uneventful healing. Over the past decades, the problem of implant related bone infections has garnered increasing attention both in the clinical as well as preclinical arenas; however this has primarily been focused upon prosthetic joint infection (PJI), rather than on IAFF. Although IAFF shares many similarities with PJI, there are numerous critical differences in many facets including prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Admittedly, extrapolating data from PJI research to IAFF has been of value to the trauma surgeon, but we should also be aware of the unique challenges posed by IAFF that may not be accounted for in the PJI literature. This review summarizes the clinical approaches towards the diagnosis and treatment of IAFF with an emphasis on the unique aspects of fracture care that distinguish IAFF from PJI. Finally, recent developments in anti-infective technologies that may be particularly suitable or applicable for trauma patients in the future will be briefly discussed.

Definition of infection after fracture fixation: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials to evaluate current practice

INTRODUCTION

One of the most challenging musculoskeletal complications in modern trauma surgery is infection after fracture fixation (IAFF). Although infections are clinically obvious in many cases, a clear definition of the term IAFF is crucial, not only for the evaluation of published research data but also for the establishment of uniform treatment concepts. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the definitions used in the scientific literature to describe infectious complications after internal fixation of fractures. The hypothesis of this study was that the majority of fracture-related literature do not define IAFF.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A comprehensive search was performed in Embase, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Medline (OvidSP), PubMed publisher and Web-of-Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on fracture fixation. Data were collected on the definition of infectious complications after fracture fixation used in each study. Study selection was accomplished through two phases. During the first phase, titles and abstracts were reviewed for relevance, and the full texts of relevant articles were obtained. During the second phase, full-text articles were reviewed. All definitions were literally extracted and collected in a database. Then, a classification was designed to rate the quality of the description of IAFF.

RESULTS

A total of 100 RCT's were identified in the search. Of 100 studies, only two (2%) cited a validated definition to describe IAFF. In 28 (28%) RCTs, the authors used a self-designed definition. In the other 70 RCTs, (70%) there was no description of a definition in the Methods section, although all of the articles described infections as an outcome parameter in the Results section.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review shows that IAFF is not defined in a large majority of the fracture-related literature. To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted with the objective to explore this important issue. The lack of a consensus definition remains a problem in current orthopedic trauma research and treatment and this void should be addressed in the near future.

Fracture-related infection: A consensus on definition from an international expert group

Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a common and serious complication in trauma surgery. Accurately estimating the impact of this complication has been hampered by the lack of a clear definition. The absence of a working definition of FRI renders existing studies difficult to evaluate or compare. In order to address this issue, an expert group comprised of a number of scientific and medical organizations has been convened, with the support of the AO Foundation, in order to develop a consensus definition. The process that led to this proposed definition started with a systematic literature review, which revealed that the majority of randomized controlled trials in fracture care do not use a standardized definition of FRI. In response to this conclusion, an international survey on the need for and key components of a definition of FRI was distributed amongst all registered AOTrauma users. Approximately 90% of the more than 2000 surgeons who responded suggested that a definition of FRI is required. As a final step, a consensus meeting was held with an expert panel. The outcome of this process led to a consensus definition of FRI. Two levels of certainty around diagnostic features were defined. Criteria could be confirmatory (infection definitely present) or suggestive. Four confirmatory criteria were defined: Fistula, sinus or wound breakdown; Purulent drainage from the wound or presence of pus during surgery; Phenotypically indistinguishable pathogens identified by culture from at least two separate deep tissue/implant specimens; Presence of microorganisms in deep tissue taken during an operative intervention, as confirmed by histopathological examination. Furthermore, a list of suggestive criteria was defined. These require further investigations in order to look for confirmatory criteria. In the current paper, an overview is provided of the proposed definition and a rationale for each component and decision. The intention of establishing this definition of FRI was to offer clinicians the opportunity to standardize clinical reports and improve the quality of published literature. It is important to note that the proposed definition was not designed to guide treatment of FRI and should be validated by prospective data collection in the future.

International survey among orthopaedic trauma surgeons: Lack of a definition of fracture-related infection

INTRODUCTION

Fracture-related infection (FRI) is one of the most challenging musculoskeletal complications in orthopaedic-trauma surgery. Although the orthopaedic community has developed and adopted a consensus definition of prosthetic joint infections (PJI), it still remains unclear how the trauma surgery community defines FRI in daily clinical practice or in performing clinical research studies. The central aim of this study was to survey the opinions of a global network of trauma surgeons on the definitions and criteria they routinely use, and their opinion on the need for a unified definition of FRI. The secondary aims were to survey their opinion on the utility of currently used definitions that may be at least partially applicable for FRI, and finally their opinion on the important clinical parameters that should be considered as diagnostic criteria for FRI.

METHODS

An 11-item questionnaire was developed to cover the above-mentioned aims. The questionnaire was administered by SurveyMonkey and was sent via blast email to all registered users of AO Trauma (Davos, Switzerland).

RESULTS

Out of the 26'563 recipients who opened the email, 2'327 (8.8%) completed the questionnaire. Nearly 90% of respondents agreed that a consensus-derived definition for FRI is required and 66% of the surgeons also agreed that PJI and FRI are not equal with respect to diagnosis, treatment and outcome. Furthermore, "positive cultures from microbiology testing", "elevation of CRP", "purulent drainage" and "local clinical signs of infection" were voted the most important diagnostic parameters for FRI.

CONCLUSION

This international survey infers the need for a consensus definition of FRI and provides insight into the clinical parameters seen by an international community of trauma surgeons as being critical for defining FRI.

Influence of fracture stability on Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus infection in a murine femoral fracture model

Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a major complication in surgically fixed fractures. Instability of the fracture after fixation is considered a risk factor for infection; however, few experimental data are available confirming this belief. To study whether stable fractures led to higher infection clearance, mouse femoral osteotomies were fixed with either stable or unstable fixation and the surgical site was contaminated with either Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis)or Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)clinical isolates. Infection progression was assessed at different time points by quantitative bacteriology, total cell counts in spleen and lymph node and histological analysis. Operated, non-inoculated mice were used as controls. Two inbred mouse strains (C57BL/6 and BALB/c) were included in the study to determine the influence of different host background in the outcome. Stable fixation allowed a higher proportion of C57BL/6 mice to clear S. epidermidis inoculation in comparison to unstable fixation. No difference associated with fixation type was observed for BALB/c mice. Inoculation with S. aureus resulted in a more severe infection for both stable and unstable fractures in both mouse strains; however, significant osteolysis around the screws rendered the stable group functionally unstable. Our results suggested that fracture stability could have an influence on S. epidermidis infection, although host factors also played a role. No differences were observed when using S. aureus, due to a more severe infection, leading to osteolysis and loss of stability in both groups. Further studies are required in order to address the biological features underlying the differences observed.

Drug delivery systems functionalized with bone mineral seeking agents for bone targeted therapeutics

The systemic administration of drugs to treat bone diseases is often associated with poor uptake of the drug in the targeted tissue, potential systemic toxicity and suboptimal efficacy. In order to overcome these limitations, many micro- and nano-sized drug carriers have been developed for the treatment of bone pathologies that exhibit specific affinity for bone. Drug carriers can be functionalized with bone mineral seekers (BMS), creating a targeted drug delivery system (DDS) which is able to bind to bone and release therapeutics directly at the site of interest. This class of advanced DDS is of tremendous interest due to their strong affinity to bone, with great expectation to treat life-threatening bone disorders such as osteomyelitis, osteosarcoma or even osteoporosis. In this review, we first explain the mechanisms behind the affinity of several well-known BMS to bone, and then we present several effective approaches allowing the incorporation BMS into advanced DDS. Finally, we report the therapeutic applications of BMS based DDS under development or already established. Understanding the mechanisms behind the biological activity of recently developed BMS and their integration into advanced therapeutic delivery systems are essential prerequisites for further development of bone-targeting therapies with optimal efficacy.

A large animal model for a failed two-stage revision of intramedullary nail-related infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The treatment of chronic orthopaedic device-associated infection (ODRI) often requires multiple surgeries and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Despite this extensive treatment protocol, the procedure is associated with significant failure rates. Currently, no large animal model is available that recapitulates a failed revision. Therefore, our aim was to establish a large animal model for failed treatment of an ODRI in order to serve as a testbed for future interventional strategies. Adult Swiss Alpine sheep received an intramedullary nail in the tibia and a localised inoculum of either a methicillin-sensitive or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, MRSA respectively). After 8 weeks, when chronic infection had been established, the animals underwent a staged revision with debridement and temporary placement of an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer. Antibiotics were delivered systemically in a standard or pathogen-adapted manner. Debridement and implant exchange alone failed to treat the MSSA infection. Neither local therapy alone nor systemic therapy alone were effective in resolving infection with MSSA, but a combination of local and systemic therapy was effective against it. MRSA infection was not resolved by the combination of local and systemic antibiotics (standard or pathogen-adapted). A model for failed revision of MRSA infection is described despite the use of local and systemic antibiotics. Novel interventions may be assessed using this model, including antibiotic and non-antibiotic interventions.

Antibiotic stability over six weeks in aqueous solution at body temperature with and without heat treatment that mimics the curing of bone cement

OBJECTIVES

Thermal stability is a key property in determining the suitability of an antibiotic agent for local application in the treatment of orthopaedic infections. Despite the fact that long-term therapy is a stated goal of novel local delivery carriers, data describing thermal stability over a long period are scarce, and studies that avoid interference from specific carrier materials are absent from the orthopaedic literature.

METHODS

In this study, a total of 38 frequently used antibiotic agents were maintained at 37°C in saline solution, and degradation and antibacterial activity assessed over six weeks. The impact of an initial supplementary heat exposure mimicking exothermically curing bone cement was also tested as this material is commonly used as a local delivery vehicle. Antibiotic degradation was assessed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, or by immunoassays, as appropriate. Antibacterial activity over time was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay.

RESULTS

The heat exposure mimicking curing bone cement had minimal effect on stability for most antibiotics, except for gentamicin which experienced approximately 25% degradation as measured by immunoassay. Beta-lactam antibiotics were found to degrade quite rapidly at 37°C regardless of whether there was an initial heat exposure. Excellent long-term stability was observed for aminoglycosides, glycopeptides, tetracyclines and quinolones under both conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a valuable dataset for orthopaedic surgeons considering local application of antibiotics, and for material scientists looking to develop next-generation controlled or extended-release antibiotic carriers.Cite this article: E. Samara, T. F. Moriarty, L. A. Decosterd, R. G. Richards, E. Gautier, P. Wahl. Antibiotic stability over six weeks in aqueous solution at body temperature with and without heat treatment that mimics the curing of bone cement. Bone Joint J 2017;6:296-306. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.65.BJR-2017-0276.R1.

Preparation of gentamicin dioctyl sulfosuccinate loaded poly(trimethylene carbonate) matrices intended for the treatment of orthopaedic infections

BACKGROUND

Infection is a common problem in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. Antibiotic-loaded biomaterials are used locally to clear infections as an adjunct to systemic antibiotics. Gentamicin-sulphate (GEN-SULPH) is commonly used in antibiotic-loaded biomaterials, although it displays high water solubility resulting in quick diffusion from the carrier.

OBJECTIVE

Preparation of a lipophilic derivative of gentamicin to reduce solubility and obtain a slower release. Subsequently, entrapment of this lipophilic gentamicin within poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) matrices.

METHODS

Hydrophobic ion-pairing was used to prepare lipophilic gentamicin (GEN-AOT). The susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 12973 and Staphylococcus epidermidis 103.1 for GEN-AOT was tested and the viability of fibroblasts upon exposure to GEN-AOT was assessed. GEN-AOT was then loaded into PTMC films.

RESULTS

GEN-AOT was successfully prepared as confirmed by FTIR-spectroscopy. GEN-AOT was bactericidal for S. epidermidis and S. aureus at 0.5 μM and 8.5 μM, respectively. At 1.1 μM GEN-AOT no reduction in fibroblast viability was observed. At 11 μM the reduction was ∼50% . PTMC discs loaded with GEN-AOT were prepared by compression molding.

CONCLUSIONS

Lipophilic GEN-AOT was at least as potent as GEN-SULPH. For S. epidermidis it was even more potent than GEN-SULPH. More than 50% fibroblast cell viability was maintained at bactericidal concentration for both bacterial strains.

Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus biomaterial-associated infections using a polymer-lipid coating containing the antimicrobial peptide OP-145

The scarcity of current antibiotic-based strategies to prevent biomaterial-associated infections (BAI) and their risk of resistance development prompted us to develop a novel antimicrobial implant-coating to prevent Staphylococcus aureus-induced BAI. We incorporated the antimicrobial peptide OP-145 into a Polymer-Lipid Encapsulation MatriX (PLEX)-coating to obtain high peptide levels for prolonged periods at the implant-tissue interphase. We first confirmed that OP-145 was highly effective in killing S. aureus and inhibiting biofilm formation in vitro. OP-145 injected along S. aureus-inoculated implants in mice significantly reduced the number of culture-positive implants. OP-145 was released from the PLEX coating in a controlled zero-order kinetic rate after an initial 55%-burst release and displayed bactericidal activity in vitro. In a rabbit intramedullary nail-related infection model, 67% of rabbits with PLEX-OP-145-coated nails had culture-negative nails after 28days compared to 29% of rabbits with uncoated nails. In rabbits with PLEX-OP-145-coated nails, bone and soft tissue samples were culture-negative in 67% and 80%, respectively, whereas all bone samples and 71% of the soft tissue samples of rabbits with uncoated nails were infected. Together, PLEX-OP-145 coatings, of which both compounds have already been found safe in man, can prevent implant colonization and S. aureus-induced BAIs.

A rabbit humerus model of plating and nailing osteosynthesis with and without Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis

The local mechanical environment at a fracture is known to influence biological factors such as callus formation, immune cell recruitment and susceptibility to infection. Infection models incorporating a fracture are therefore required to evaluate prevention and treatment of infection after osteosynthesis. The aim of this study was to create humane, standardised and repeatable preclinical models of implant-related bone infection after osteosynthesis in the rabbit humerus. Custom-designed interlocked intramedullary nails and commercially available locking plates were subjected to biomechanical evaluation in cadaveric rabbit humeri; a 10-week in vivo healing study; a dose response study with Staphylococcus aureus over 4 weeks; and finally, a long-term infection of 10 weeks in the plate model.Outcome measures included biomechanical testing, radiography, histology, haematology and quantitative bacteriology. Both implants offered similar biomechanical stability in cadaveric bones, and when applied in the in vivo study, resulted in complete radiographic and histological healing and osteotomy closure within 10-weeks. As expected in the infection study, higher bacterial doses led to an increasing infection rate. In both infected groups, there was a complete lack of osteotomy closure at 4 weeks. C-reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte: granulocyte ratio and weight loss were increased in infected animals receiving IM nails in comparison with non-inoculated equivalents, although this was less evident in the plate group. In the 10-week infection group, healing does not occur in the plated rabbits. We have successfully developed a rabbit model that is suitable for further studies, particularly those looking into preventative strategies for post-traumatic implant-related osteomyelitis.

Antimicrobial delivery systems for local infection prophylaxis in orthopedic- and trauma surgery

Infectious complications occur in a minor but significant portion of the patients undergoing joint replacement surgery or fracture fixation, particularly those with severe open fractures, those undergoing revision arthroplasty or those at elevated risk because of poor health status. Once established, infections are difficult to eradicate, especially in the case of bacterial biofilm formation on implanted hardware. Local antibiotic carriers offer the prospect of controlled delivery of antibiotics directly in target tissues and implant, without inducing toxicity in non-target organs. Polymeric carriers have been developed to optimize the release and targeting of antibiotics. Passive polymeric carriers release antibiotics by diffusion and/or upon degradation, while active polymeric carriers release their antibiotics upon stimuli provided by bacterial pathogens. Additionally, some polymeric carriers gelate in-situ in response to physiological stimuli to form a depot for antibiotic release. As antibiotic resistance has become a major issue, also other anti-infectives such as silver and antimicrobial peptides have been incorporated in research. Currently, several antibiotic loaded biomaterials for local infection prophylaxis are available for use in the clinic. Here we review their advantages and limitations and provide an overview of new materials emerging that may overcome these limitations.

Ozonated saline shows activity against planktonic and biofilm growing Staphylococcus aureus in vitro: a potential irrigant for infected wounds

Infections associated with deep wounds require extensive surgical and medical care. New adjunctive treatments are required to aid in the eradication of the bacterial biofilms found on infected wounds and, in particular, any underlying hardware. Ozone has been used as a safe and efficient disinfectant in water treatment plants for many years. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-biofilm potential of ozonated saline against biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus, a microorganism commonly implicated in wound infections. A custom-made bacterial biofilm bioreactor was used to grow S. aureus biofilms on discs of medical grade titanium alloy. An ozone generator was connected in-line and biofilms and planktonic bacteria were exposed to ozone in saline. Cytotoxicity was assessed against primary ovine osteoblasts in the same system. In tests against planktonic S. aureus, a 99% reduction in bacterial numbers was detected within 15 minutes of exposure. S. aureus biofilms were significantly more resistant to ozone, although complete eradication of the biofilm was eventually achieved within 5 hours. Ozonated saline was not found to be cytotoxic to primary ovine osteoblasts. Ozonated saline may be suitable as an adjuvant therapy to treat patients as an instillation fluid for wound irrigation and sterilisation.

Challenges in linking preclinical anti-microbial research strategies with clinical outcomes for device-associated infections

Infections related to implanted medical devices have become a significant health care issue in recent decades. Increasing numbers of medical devices are in use, often in an aging population, and these devices are implanted against a background of increasing antibiotic-resistant bacterial populations. Progressively more antibiotic resistant infections, requiring ever more refined treatment options, are therefore predicted to emerge with greater frequency in the coming decades. Improvements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these device-associated infections will remain priority targets both for clinicians and the translational research community charged with addressing these challenges. Preclinical strategies, predictive of ultimate clinical efficacy, should serve as a control point for effective translation of new technologies to clinical applications. The development of new anti-infective medical devices requires a validated preclinical testing protocol; however, reliable validation of experimental and preclinical antimicrobial methodologies currently suffers from a variety of technical limitations. These include the lack of agreement or standardisation of experimental protocols, a general lack of correlation between in vitro and in vivo preclinical results and lack of validation between in vivo preclinical implant infection models and clinical (human) results. Device-associated infections pose additional challenges to practicing clinicians concerning diagnosis and treatment, both of which are complicated by the biofilms formed on the medical device. The critical challenges facing both preclinical research and clinical laboratories in improving both diagnosis and treatment of medical device-associated infections are the focus of this review.

In vivo evaluation of the effect of intramedullary nail microtopography on the development of local infection in rabbits

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Fractures of the tibia and femoral diaphysis are commonly repaired by intramedullary (IM) nails, which are currently composed of either electropolished stainless steel (EPSS) or standard, non-polished titanium-aluminum-niobium (TAN). Once the fracture has fully healed, removal of IM nails is common, but the strong adhesion of bone to standard TAN complicates removal. Polishing the surface of TAN IM nails has been shown to reduce bony adhesion and ease implant removal without compromising fixation. Polished TAN nails are, therefore, expected to have significant clinical benefit in situations where the device is to be removed. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of polishing TAN IM nails on susceptibility to infection in an animal model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Solid IM nails (Synthes, Betlach, Switzerland) composed of standard TAN were compared with polished equivalents and also to clinically available EPSS nails. The surface chemical and topographical properties of the materials were assessed by X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS), white light profilometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An in vivo infection study was performed using a clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus that was characterized with respect to various virulence factors.

RESULTS

Polishing TAN IM nails caused no significant change to the chemistry of the nails, but the topography of the polished TAN nails was significantly smoother than standard TAN nails. In the infection study, the rank order based on descending infectious dose 50 (ID(50)) was: standard TAN, polished TAN, and finally EPSS. The ID(50) values did not differ greatly between any of the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Polishing the surface TAN IM nails was not found to influence the susceptibility to infection in our animal model.

Use of culture and molecular analysis to determine the effect of antibiotic treatment on microbial community diversity and abundance during exacerbation in patients with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Anaerobic bacteria are increasingly regarded as important in cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary infection. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of antibiotic treatment on aerobic and anaerobic microbial community diversity and abundance during exacerbations in patients with CF.

METHODS

Sputum was collected at the start and completion of antibiotic treatment of exacerbations and when clinically stable. Bacteria were quantified and identified following culture, and community composition was also examined using culture-independent methods.

RESULTS

Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Burkholderia cepacia complex were detected by culture in 24/26 samples at the start of treatment, 22/26 samples at completion of treatment and 11/13 stable samples. Anaerobic bacteria were detected in all start of treatment and stable samples and in 23/26 completion of treatment samples. Molecular analysis showed greater bacterial diversity within sputum samples than was detected by culture; there was reasonably good agreement between the methods for the presence or absence of aerobic bacteria such as P aeruginosa (κ=0.74) and B cepacia complex (κ=0.92), but agreement was poorer for anaerobes. Both methods showed that the composition of the bacterial community varied between patients but remained relatively stable in most individuals despite treatment. Bacterial abundance decreased transiently following treatment, with this effect more evident for aerobes (median decrease in total viable count 2.3×10(7) cfu/g, p=0.005) than for anaerobes (median decrease in total viable count 3×10(6) cfu/g, p=0.046).

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic treatment targeted against aerobes had a minimal effect on abundance of anaerobes and community composition, with both culture and molecular detection methods required for comprehensive characterisation of the microbial community in the CF lung. Further studies are required to determine the clinical significance of and optimal treatment for these newly identified bacteria.

The selection of appropriate bacterial strains in preclinical evaluation of infection-resistant biomaterials

Implant-related infections are broadly recognized as one of the most serious and devastating complications associated with the use of biomaterials in medical practice. The growing interest and need for the development of implant materials with reduced susceptibility to microbial colonization and biofilm formation has necessitated the development of a series of in vitro and in vivo models for evaluation and preclinical testing. Current technologies provide these investigations with an ample choice of qualitative and quantitative techniques for an accurate assessment of the bioactivity and anti-infective efficacy of any new compound or device. These tests are typically performed using a reference bacterial strain designated as the test or reference strain. Recent molecular epidemiological studies have identified the complex clonal nature of most prevalent etiological agents implicated in implant-associated infections. New information which is continually emerging on the identity and the characteristics of both sporadic and epidemic clones must be considered when selecting a reference. A new emerging requirement is that the strain should be representative of the clones causing clinically relevant infections; they should, therefore, belong to the most prevalent epidemic clones rather than to sporadic ones, which may occur in only 1 out of 200 infections or even fewer. The correct choice of reference strain for preclinical tests is of crucial importance for the clinical significance of the achieved results. In this paper we report our experience and recommendations regarding this issue.

Effect of pH on the antimicrobial susceptibility of planktonic and biofilm-grown clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates

The pH at the site of infection is one of a number of factors that may significantly influence the in vivo activity of an antibiotic prescribed for treatment of infection and it may be of particular importance in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary infection, as acidification of the airways in CF patients has been reported. As Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most frequent causative pathogen of CF pulmonary infection, this study determines the effect that growth at a reduced pH, as may be experienced by P. aeruginosa during infection of the CF lung, has on the susceptibility of clinical P. aeruginosa isolates, grown planktonically and as biofilms, to tobramycin and ceftazidime. Time-kill assays revealed a clear loss of tobramycin bactericidal activity when the isolates were grown under acidic conditions. MIC and MBC determinations also showed decreased tobramycin activity under acidic conditions, but this effect was not observed for all isolates tested. In contrast, growth of the isolates at a reduced pH had no adverse effect on the bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity of ceftazidime. When the isolates were grown as biofilms, the pH at which the biofilms were formed did not affect the bactericidal activity of either tobramycin or ceftazidime, with neither antibiotic capable of eradicating biofilms formed by the isolates at each pH. This was in spite of the fact that the concentrations of both antibiotics used were much higher than the concentrations required to kill the isolates growing planktonically. These results show that growth in an acidic environment may reduce the susceptibility of clinical P. aeruginosa isolates to tobramycin.

Sputum antibiotic concentrations: implications for treatment of cystic fibrosis lung infection

BACKGROUND

The success of antibiotic therapy may be predicted based on the achievement of pharmacodynamic indices (PDIs), which are determined by the susceptibility of the infecting bacteria and the concentrations of antibiotics achieved at the site of infection. The aim of this study was to determine whether PDIs associated with clinical effectiveness for ceftazidime and tobramycin were achieved at the site of infection in the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients following intravenous administration during treatment of an acute exacerbation.

METHODS

Serum and sputum samples were collected from 14 CF patients and the concentration of both antibiotics in the samples determined. The susceptibility of bacteria cultured from sputum samples to both antibiotics alone and in combination was also determined.

RESULTS

A total of 22 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and 4 Burkholderia cepacia complex isolates were cultured from sputum samples with 55% and 4% of isolates susceptible to ceftazidime and tobramycin, respectively. Target PDIs for ceftazidime and tobramycin, an AUC/MIC ratio of 100 and a C(max)/MIC ratio of 10, respectively, were not achieved in serum or sputum simultaneously or even individually for any patient. Although the combination of ceftazidime and tobramycin was synergistic against 20 of the 26 isolates cultured, the concentrations of both antibiotics required for synergy were achieved simultaneously in only 38% of serum and 14% of sputum samples.

CONCLUSION

Key PDIs associated with clinical effectiveness for ceftazidime and tobramycin were not achieved at the site of infection in the lungs of CF patients.

Effect of reduced pH on inorganic polyphosphate accumulation by Burkholderia cepacia complex isolates

AIMS

Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) isolates causing pulmonary infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients grow within an acidic environment in the lung. As exposure to acid pH has been shown to increase intracellular inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) formation in some bacteria, we investigated the inter-relationship between acidic pH and polyP accumulation in Bcc isolates.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The formation of polyP by one Burkholderia cenocepacia clinical isolate was initially examined at a range of pH values by measuring total intracellular polyP accumulation and phosphate uptake. The pattern of polyP accumulation corresponded with the pattern of phosphate uptake with the maximum for both occurring at pH 5.5. Phosphate uptake and formation of polyP by this isolate was further determined over 48 h at pH 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5; formation of polyP was maximal at pH 5.5 at all time points studied. Sixteen of 17 additional clinical and environmental Bcc isolates examined also exhibited maximum phosphate uptake at pH 5.5.

CONCLUSIONS

Both clinical and environmental Bcc isolates, of five genomovars, show enhanced formation of polyP in an acidic environment. Given both the speculated role of polyP in pathogenesis, cell signalling and biofilm formation and the acidic nature of the CF lung, this may be of considerable clinical importance.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Growth of Bcc in an acidic environment, such as that found in the lungs of CF patients may be influenced in part by polyP accumulation.

Rapid colorimetric assay for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A colorimetric assay based on the reduction of a tetrazolium salt [2,3-bis[2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT)] for rapidly determining the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates to bactericidal antibiotics is described. There was excellent agreement between the tobramycin and ofloxacin MICs determined after 5 h using the XTT assay and after 18 h using conventional methods. The data suggests that an XTT-based assay could provide a useful method for rapidly determining the susceptibility of P. aeruginosa to bactericidal antibiotics.

Effect of shape on pressure-volume relationships of ellipsoidal shells

Previous theoretical procedures for determining the slope and intercept of the stiffness-stress relationship of the passive myocardium from diastolic pressure-volume (P-V) data assume that the eccentricity of the left ventricle (LV) is invariant. In this study a mathematical model for an ellipsoidal membrane was developed that does not contain that constraint. The model predicts a small (less than 10%) but significant decrease in eccentricity as transmural pressure increases. This result was confirmed by the use of a thick-wall finite element model. The implications of this result are as follows. 1) The slope and intercept of the stiffness-stress relationship of unconstrained ellipsodial shells can be determined by fitting a spherical model to the P-V relationships exhibited by the shells. 2) An ellipsoidal model that assumes that the eccentricity of such shells is invariant for all pressures would predict erroneous intercepts. 3) If the eccentricity of the diastolic LV initially decreases relative to its value at zero transmural pressure, then a thick-wall spherical model may be adequate for determining the slope and intercept of the myocardial stiffness-stress relationship.