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Published on: July 15, 2009
Activity of Electrical Current in Experimental Propionibacterium acnes Foreign-Body Osteomyelitis
Suzannah M Schmidt-Malan1, Cassandra L Brinkman1, Kerryl E Greenwood-Quaintance1
1Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Abstract:
Foreign-body-associated infections are often difficult to treat, given that the associated microorganisms are in a biofilm state. Previously, we showed that a low-amperage direct electrical current (DC) reduces Propionibacterium acnes biofilms formed on implant-associated materials in vitro In this study, low-amperage DC was compared to ceftriaxone treatment or no treatment in a novel rat femur model of foreign-body osteomyelitis. A platinum implant seeded with a P. acnes biofilm (107 CFU/cm2) and 109 CFU of planktonic P. acnes was placed in the femoral medullary cavity. One week later, rats were assigned to one of three treatment groups: no treatment, ceftriaxone treatment, or 200-μA-DC treatment. After 2 weeks of treatment, there were fewer bacteria in the bones of the ceftriaxone group (3.06 log10 CFU/g of bone [P = 0.0209]) and the 200-μA-DC group (0.5 log10 CFU/g [P = 0.0015]) than in those of the control group (6.58 log10 CFU/g). The DC-exposed animals exhibited fewer bacteria than the ceftriaxone-treated animals (P = 0.0330). There were fewer bacteria on the implanted wires in the groups treated with ceftriaxone (0.1 log10 CFU/cm2) or a 200-μA DC (0.1 log10 CFU/cm2) than in the control group (2.53 log10 CFU/cm2 [P, 0.0003 for both comparisons]). Low-amperage DC may be useful for treating, or aiding in the treatment of, foreign-body infections caused by P. acnes.
Insights
Low-amperage direct electrical current (DC) effectively reduced bacteria in a rat model of foreign-body osteomyelitis. This novel DC treatment showed superior results compared to ceftriaxone, offering a potential new therapy for implant-associated infections.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Infectious Diseases
- Materials Science
Background:
- Foreign-body-associated infections are challenging due to microbial biofilm formation.
- Previous in vitro studies demonstrated direct electrical current (DC) efficacy against Propionibacterium acnes biofilms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of low-amperage DC in treating foreign-body osteomyelitis in a novel rat femur model.
- To compare DC treatment with ceftriaxone and no treatment.
Main Methods:
- A rat femur model of osteomyelitis was established using a platinum implant seeded with P. acnes biofilm and planktonic bacteria.
- Rats were treated with either no treatment, ceftriaxone, or 200-μA DC for two weeks.
- Bacterial load in bone and on implants was quantified post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Both ceftriaxone and 200-μA DC treatments significantly reduced bacterial load in bone compared to controls.
- The 200-μA DC treatment resulted in significantly fewer bacteria in bone than ceftriaxone treatment.
- Bacterial counts on implanted wires were significantly lower in both treatment groups compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- Low-amperage DC demonstrates significant efficacy in reducing bacterial burden in a foreign-body osteomyelitis model.
- DC treatment may serve as a viable alternative or adjunct therapy for P. acnes-related foreign-body infections.
- This study highlights the potential of electrical current as a therapeutic modality for implant-associated infections.
