Study reveals skin bacteria's role in chronic bone infections after joint surgery

In individuals who have undergone knee or hip replacement surgery, clinicians are noticing increasing numbers of chronic bone infections linked to a bacterial strain commonly found on the skin. A new study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research provides insights into the mechanisms involved.

Utilizing mouse models of bone infection and systematic electron microscopy studies, scientists found that the common skin bacteria Cutibacterium acnes can persist as layers of biofilms for weeks on contaminated titanium or stainless-steel implants. It can also invade deep pockets of the bone called canalicular networks and be present within the bone for long periods of time.

Our study highlights that osteocyte lacuno-canalicular networks can be a major reservoir for this bacterium and potentially provides a novel mechanism of why Cutibacterium acnes chronic bone infections are difficult to treat in the clinic."

Gowrishankar Muthukrishnan, PhD, corresponding author of the University of Rochester Medical Center

Source:
Journal reference:

Botros, M., et al. (2024) Cutibacterium acnes invades submicron osteocyte lacuno-canalicular networks following implant-associated osteomyelitis. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. doi.org/10.1002/jor.25929.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
COVID-19 increases chronic fatigue risk