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Osteomyelitis Research
- Mechanisms to explain the indolence of Staphylococcus aureus and osteomyelitis
- S. aureus is a common pathogen associated with osteomyelitis. Our laboratories have been studying the relationship between S. aureus and osteoblasts. To date, the incorporation of the bacteria into cultured osteoblast has been demonstrated. The bacteria have been shown to be sequestered inside osteoblasts without killing the osteoblast. Furthermore, these intracellular bacteria have been shown to be viable when the osteoblast dies. In addition, incorporation of the S. aureus into the osteoblasts appears to render antibiotic resistance to the bacteria. In collaboration with the Wake Forest Center for Nanotechnology, atomic force microscopy is being used to study the changes in the cell wall and glycocalyx of S. aureus following intracellular incorporation. It is hypothesized that intracellular incorporation of S. aureus within osteoblasts may contribute to the antibiotic resistance and indolent nature of S. aureus infections. Bone specimens obtained from patients with osteomyelitis are being used to develop cell cultures of osteoblasts. These osteoblast cultures are used to study whether or not bacteria are taken up by the osteoblasts and then reside within the osteoblasts in a dormant state. These studies may provide an understanding of the indolent nature of osteomyelitis.
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