Silver antibacterial bone cement. Comparison with gentamicin in experimental osteomyelitis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Infectious Diseases
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Osteomyelitis, a bone infection, poses significant treatment challenges.
• Antibiotic-eluting biomaterials are crucial for managing bone infections.
• Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen in osteomyelitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of silver methacrylate and gentamicin methacrylate in treating experimental Staphylococcus osteomyelitis in rabbits.
• To evaluate the impact of these antimicrobial agents on mortality and bacterial load.

Main Methods:

• An animal model using 54 rabbits with induced Staphylococcus osteomyelitis was employed.
• Prepolymerized polymethyl methacrylate (PMM) rods containing silver sulfate (Ag2SO4), gentamicin, or no additives were implanted.
• Mortality rates and bacterial counts from bone samples were assessed over six weeks.

Main Results:

• Gentamicin-PMM significantly reduced mortality (6%) compared to controls (61%) and Ag-PMM (22%).
• Bacterial bone counts were significantly lower in both treatment groups compared to controls.
• Three sterile bone samples were recovered from the gentamicin-PMM group, indicating potential eradication.

Conclusions:

• Gentamicin methacrylate demonstrates superior efficacy in reducing mortality and bacterial burden in experimental osteomyelitis.
• Silver methacrylate also shows promise as an antimicrobial agent for bone infections.
• Further research into silver-based bone cements for infection prevention and treatment is recommended.