Irish researchers have developed a treatment for osteomyelitis that combines copper particles into an implant for bone repair.
The new treatment has developed a one-step solution that kills bacteria and promotes bone growth without using antibiotics.
It was achieved by combining copper particles with bioactive glass, a type of glass used for bone repair, that was incorporated into an implant designed specifically for bone repair.
The copper infused implant not only attracts blood vessels and bone cells to speed bone repair, but prevents bacteria growth.
“Osteomyelitis is notoriously difficult to treat,” Emily Ryan, a recently qualified PhD student in the RCSI Department of Anatomy, was quoted in the media.
“Further work on the back of this research could lead to the complete development of a single-stage, off-the-shelf treatment. This in turn could reduce the need for antibiotics and bone grafting – thus also addressing issues with antibiotic resistance.”
People can develop this bone infection from broken bones, severe tooth decay and deep puncture wounds, among other causes. In the worst cases, osteomyelitis can result in amputations or be fatal.
More detail: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190131/Researchers-develop-a-new-treatment-for-osteomyelitis.aspx