Therapy with hyperbaric oxygen for experimental osteomyelitis due to Staphylococcus aureus in rabbits

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Biomedical Engineering
• Microbiology

Background:

• Chronic osteomyelitis is a persistent bone infection.
• Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is a controversial adjunctive therapy for osteomyelitis.
• Staphylococcus aureus is a common causative agent of osteomyelitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) as an adjunctive therapy for chronic osteomyelitis.
• To compare HBO treatment with cephalothin antibiotic therapy and a combination of both.
• To investigate the in vitro effects of HBO on Staphylococcus aureus growth and susceptibility to cephalothin.

Main Methods:

• A rabbit model of Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis was utilized.
• Animals were treated with HBO, cephalothin, HBO plus cephalothin, or no treatment.
• Bone cultures were assessed for bacterial presence, and in vitro studies examined bacterial growth and killing curves.

Main Results:

• Bacterial cultures were positive in 91% of untreated controls.
• Treatment groups showed significantly lower positive culture rates (36-47%) compared to controls (P < 0.01).
• No significant differences in efficacy were observed among the HBO, cephalothin, and combination therapy groups. HBO did not alter in vitro bacterial growth or cephalothin susceptibility.

Conclusions:

• Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is effective in treating experimental osteomyelitis, with efficacy comparable to cephalothin antibiotic therapy.
• The therapeutic benefits of HBO in osteomyelitis do not appear to be mediated by direct antibacterial activity.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the non-antibacterial mechanisms underlying HBO's effectiveness in chronic osteomyelitis.