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Published on: March 14, 2019
Vancomycin microspheres reduce postoperative spine infection in an in vivo rabbit model
Background:
Surgical site infections are common and devastating complications after implants related surgeries. Staphylococcus aureus contamination is a leading cause of surgical site infections. This study aims at assessing the effect of vancomycin microspheres on reducing Staphylococcus aureus infection in an in vivo rabbit model.
Methods:
Sixty surgical sites of 20 New Zealand White rabbits underwent spinal implant were randomly divided to three groups: the control group, the vancomycin group and vancomycin microspheres group. The surgical sites were incubated with 100 μl 1 × 107 CFU S. aureus ATCC 25923. Prior to closure, vancomycin and vancomycin microspheres were placed into the wounds of the rabbits in the vancomycin group and the vancomycin microspheres group, respectively. The rabbits were killed on postoperative day 7. Standard quantification techniques were used to analyze biomaterial centered and soft tissue bacterial growth. The bacteria were further confirmed by PCR with primers from the thermostable nuclease gene of S. aureus.
Results:
All the rabbits survived the surgery and no postoperative wound complications or systemic illness occurred. Results showed that the bacterial cultures were 76.9, 30.8, and 15.4% in the control group, vancomycin group, and vancomycin microspheres group. Vancomycin microspheres treatments significantly decreased the infection rate compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Vancomycin microspheres combined with preoperative ceftriaxone is effective to reduce postoperative S. aureus infection compared with the control group.
Insights
Vancomycin microspheres significantly reduced Staphylococcus aureus infections in rabbits after spinal implants. This novel approach offers a promising strategy for preventing surgical site infections.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant complication following implant surgeries.
- Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a primary pathogen contributing to SSIs.
- Developing effective strategies to prevent S. aureus contamination is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of vancomycin microspheres in preventing S. aureus surgical site infections.
- To assess the impact of vancomycin microspheres compared to conventional vancomycin and a control group in an in vivo model.
Main Methods:
- A rabbit spinal implant model was utilized with 60 surgical sites across 20 rabbits.
- Sites were inoculated with S. aureus and treated with vancomycin, vancomycin microspheres, or no treatment (control).
- Bacterial load in soft tissue and biomaterial was quantified on postoperative day 7, with PCR confirmation.
Main Results:
- The infection rates were 76.9% (control), 30.8% (vancomycin), and 15.4% (vancomycin microspheres).
- Vancomycin microspheres demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in infection rates compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
- No adverse events or systemic complications were observed in any treatment group.
Conclusions:
- Vancomycin microspheres are effective in reducing S. aureus surgical site infections in this rabbit model.
- This formulation shows promise as an adjunct therapy, potentially combined with systemic antibiotics like ceftriaxone.
- Further clinical investigation is warranted to translate these findings to human patients.
