Cause Of Osteomyelitis Research Articles

Finger Rescue Using the Induced Membrane Technique for Osteomyelitis of the Hand.

Background: The induced membrane technique is now commonly used for large diaphyseal bone defects. Recently, several papers reported using the induced membrane technique for hand surgery. We applied this technique with some modifications to treat osteomyelitis of the phalanges. Methods: This study included six men and one woman with a mean age of 56 years. The causes of osteomyelitis included animal bite (n = 3), trauma (n = 3), and an indwelling needle (n = 1). Two-staged surgeries were performed, including an initial stage with radical debridement of the infected tissue and placement of a cement spacer into the bone defect. Four weeks after the first stage, a bone graft was performed. A bone block with cortex was harvested from the iliac crest or radius, and costal cartilage was used for proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthroplasty in two cases. Grafted bones were fixed with a mini screw or an external fixator. Results: In all cases, the infection subsided, and bone union was obtained within two to three months. No absorption of the grafted bone was observed. In the two cases with PIP joint defect, joint motion without pain was preserved at 56° and 26°. Conclusions: A short interval between the two surgical stages of the induced membrane technique could be advantageous for patients in terms of time and financial burden and early rehabilitation of movement. Cortico-cancellous bone grafts were able to maintain bone length and stability with screw fixation. In the cases with PIP joint defects, instead of arthrodesis, we performed PIP arthroplasty using costal cartilage, eventually obtained some motion without pain. The induced membrane technique was useful and technically feasible for treating osteomyelitis in the hand, and secondary joint reconstruction was possible to obtain some motion.

Combined Pyogenic and Tuberculous Osteomyelitis of the Clavicle: A Case Report

Introduction:Tuberculous osteomyelitis of the clavicle accounts for 1–3% of cases of osteoarticular tuberculosis. It presents with non-specific symptoms and may have superadded infections with pyogenic organisms, requiring a high degree of suspicion to adequately diagnose and initiate appropriate treatment.Case Report:We describe a case of a 35-year-old male with osteolytic clavicular lesion and abscess in the supraclavicular fossa. Tissue diagnosis revealed tuberculous osteomyelitis with superadded infection with Staphylococcus aureus. He was managed with debridement and anti-tubercular therapy.Conclusion:A high degree of suspicion is required to adequately test and diagnose the cause of osteomyelitis of the clavicle, in the absence of a predisposing event, as staphylococcal and tuberculous infection can present simultaneously.

An unusual presentation of acute osteomyelitis of tibia with superficial venous thrombosis in a child

Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis is the most common cause of osteomyelitis in children. It requires early diagnosis and treatment to minimize the risk of sequela of growth disturbances and deformity. We present a case of an unusual presentation of osteomyelitis of the tibia with Superficial venous thrombosis in a 2½ year male child, which was 1st ever reported association. A high degree of clinical suspicion of venous thrombosis, especially in pediatrics osteomyelitis, is required, with high C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels, as the child presents insidiously.

Extensively drug-resistant Salmonella typhi causing rib osteomyelitis: A case report

Rationale: Salmonella (S.) typhi is a rare cause of osteomyelitis in immunocompetent adults. Extensive drug resistance (XDR) may lead to more complicated cases of S. typhi osteomyelitis. Patient concern: A 55-year-old female presented with a persistent low-grade fever and a swelling on her lower left chest with a sinus discharging purulent fluid for the past 8 months. Her symptoms had been unresponsive to previous anti-microbial therapy. Diagnosis: Rib osteomyelitis caused by XDR S. typhi. Interventions: Surgical wound debridement, left 7th-9th rib resection and intravenous IV meropenem were done. Outcome: Fever resolved and left-sided swelling resected without recurrence.Lessons: The prevalence of XDR S. typhi is growing in South Asia and should be considered as the differential diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis.

Emergence of gram-negative organisms as the cause of infections in patients with sickle cell disease.

Patients with sickle cell disease are at higher risk of infections with encapsulated bacteria due to immature immune responses and functional asplenia. We aimed to study our patient population for the emergence of gram-negative organisms other than Salmonella as the cause of osteomyelitis and document a vast decrease in Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia rates. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 158 patients with sickle cell disease registered at our hospital. Over a period of 13 years, every patient presenting to the emergency department (ED) with fever had their medical record reviewed for blood cultures, wound cultures, and magnetic resonance imaging results for osteomyelitis. The number of patients presenting to the ED with fever was 105, with 581 febrile episodes and 893 blood cultures. Among those, no culture grew Streptococcus pneumoniae, 14 grew coagulase-negative staphylococci (1.5%), one grew Salmonella enterica Paratyphi B, and three grew Salmonella enterica group C (in the same patient). The total number of osteomyelitis episodes in patients with sickle cell disease presenting with fever and documented by imaging was nine (1.5%). In patients with osteomyelitis, organisms were isolated in four patients (44%), including Enterobacter cloacae, Bacteroides, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enterica group C. Immunization against Streptococcus pneumoniae and the use of prophylactic penicillin has virtually eliminated pneumococcal bacteremia among our patients. We observed the emergence of gram-negative organisms other than Salmonella as the cause of osteomyelitis in patients with sickle cell disease.

An unusual case of chest pain

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bones caused by pyogenic organisms. The ribs are an extremely uncommon site for osteomyelitis, occurring in less than 1% cases. The main causative organisms are Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Hemophilus influenzae. Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli have been rarely reported. Authors hereby present a case of an immune-competent patient who presented with an osteomyelitis of the ribs caused by the latter. In developing countries, tuberculosis is considered as the primary cause of osteomyelitis and pleural effusions. However, other organisms should also be considered in patients who present with fulminant infections.

Retrospective study to find the prevalence of neoplasia in swellings of hand and foot bones

Lesions occurring in them are infrequently reported. In this retrospective study, we analyze all types of lesions affecting bones of the hands or feet, including infections and inflammatory conditions, benign and malignant tumors, and tumor like lesions, correlating clinical, pathologic and biopsy findings. Out of 50 lesions included in the study, infections/ inflammatory lesions constituted 46.0%, benign tumors 32.0%, malignant tumors 12.0%, and tumor like lesions 10.0%. Osteomyelitis was the most common lesion in this series, accounting for 44% of the cases. In other study also it is the commonest lesion. Walking barefoot and Diabetes mellitus constitutes a significant predisposing risk factor for osteomyelitis of the foot. Tuberculosis constitutes the major cause of osteomyelitis in India hence higher incidence of tuberculous osteomyelitis in the small bones of the hands or feet as compared to that in the West. Benign tumors were more common than malignant tumors in our series, GCT constituting 43.8% of benign tumors. Chondrosarcoma was the most common malignant tumor. Metastatic bone lesions and hematologic neoplasms were not seen in our study. Bones of the hands and feet are the most common extragnathic sites for GCR. Three such cases with typical histologic features were diagnosed in bones of the hand. It was difficult to differentiate them clinically and radiologically from GCT. This is important in view of the lower recurrence rate in the former compared to the latter. The only other 3 cases of GCR reported during the study period were located in the mandible. In view of overlapping ultrastructural and light microscopic features, as well as similar biologic behavior, aneurysmal bone cyst and giant-cell reparative lesions are thought to represent related responses to intraosseous hemorrhage. Florid reactive periostitis is a reactive process that predominantly involves the bones of the hands or feet, mostly in young women, and a history of minor trauma is seen in less than half of the cases. Similar clinical findings were noted in our patient as well. The importance of this entity lies in the possibility of it being misdiagnosed as a malignant lesion, especially osteosarcoma. Such a lesion was not seen in any other bone in our institution during the study period. Conclusion: Lesions of the bones of the hands or feet are uncommon. Infections/inflammatory lesions are more common in India. Benign tumors were more common than malignant tumors in our series. Giant cell tumor is the commonest neoplastic lesion. . Awareness and correlation of clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features help in making correct diagnoses Keywords: Hand Swelling, Foot swelling, Neoplasia in Hand, Neoplasia in foot

Therapeutics and delivery vehicles for local treatment of osteomyelitis.

Osteomyelitis, or the infection of the bone, presents a major complication in orthopedics and may lead to prolonged hospital visits, implant failure, and in more extreme cases, amputation of affected limbs. Typical treatment for this disease involves surgical debridement followed by long-term, systemic antibiotic administration, which contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and has limited ability to eradicate challenging biofilm-forming pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus-the most common cause of osteomyelitis. Local delivery of high doses of antibiotics via traditional bone cement can reduce systemic side effects of an antibiotic. Nonetheless, growing concerns over burst release (then subtherapeutic dose) of antibiotics, along with microbial colonization of the nondegradable cement biomaterial, further exacerbate antibiotic resistance and highlight the need to engineer alternative antimicrobial therapeutics and local delivery vehicles with increased efficacy against, in particular, biofilm-forming, antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Furthermore, limited guidance exists regarding both standardized formulation protocols and validated assays to predict efficacy of a therapeutic against multiple strains of bacteria. Ideally, antimicrobial strategies would be highly specific while exhibiting a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity. With a focus on S. aureus infection, this review addresses the efficacy of novel therapeutics and local delivery vehicles, as alternatives to the traditional antibiotic regimens. The aim of this review is to discuss these components with regards to long bone osteomyelitis and to encourage positive directions for future research efforts.

Tigecycline Versus Colistin in the Treatment of Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Complex Osteomyelitis.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii complex is an increasingly important cause of osteomyelitis. It is considered a difficult to treat agent, due to increasing antimicrobial resistance and few available therapeutic options.Objective: To compare effectiveness and tolerability of tigecycline and colistin in patients with osteomyelitis caused by carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii complex (CRABC).Methods: This retrospective review included all patients admitted to a 150-bed tertiary hospital from 2007 to 2015 with microbiologically confirmed CRABC osteomyelitis for which they received tigecycline or colistin. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics, adverse events, and outcomes 12 months after the end of antimicrobial treatment were analysed and stratified according to the antimicrobial used.Results: 65 patients were included, 34 treated with colistin and 31 with tigecycline. There were significantly more men (P = 0.028) in the colistin group, and more smokers (P = 0.021) and greater occurrence of chronic osteomyelitis (P = 0.036) in the tigecycline treatment group. Median duration of therapy was 42.5 days for colistin and 42 days for tigecycline, with no significant difference. Overall incidence of adverse events was higher in the colistin group (P = 0.047). In particular, incidence of renal impairment was also higher in this group (P = 0.003). Nausea and vomiting were more frequent with tigecycline (P = 0.046). There were no significant differences between groups in relapse, amputation, or death.Conclusions: Tigecycline had a better safety profile than colistin in the treatment of osteomyelitis due to CRABC, with no significant difference in outcomes after 12 months of follow-up.

Mycobacterium arosiense, an unexpected cause of osteomyelitis in a patient with sarcoidosis: a case report

BackgroundNontuberculous mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex are recognized as opportunistic pathogens to humans. Mycobacterium arosiense is one of the novel members of the Mycobacterium avium complex. The organism has only rarely been reported in human clinical cases and may be routinely misidentified.Case presentationAn adult male with a history of a discus prolapse and sarcoidosis presented with high fever and a strong back pain with projection to the extremities. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan of columna revealed a tumor suspect process at thoracic vertebrae 11/12 with changes at the second lumbar vertebra, which was partly removed by laminectomy. Biopsy smears revealed acid-fast bacilli and turned out to be Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex PCR negative. The routine line probe assay INNO-LiPa v2 (INNOGENETICS NV, Gent), which differentiates 16 mycobacterial species indicated the presence of a not readily identifiable NTM species. Whereas, the GenoType Mycobacterium CM v2.0 (HAIN Lifescience GmbH) that routinely differentiates 14 clinically relevant mycobacteria revealed a Mycobacterium intracellulare species. However, additional diagnostic sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene confirmed the presence of a Mycobacterium arosiense species.ConclusionsThis is the second unusual case of osteomyelitis with clinical significance ever to be reported, caused by Mycobacterium arosiense and complicated by an underlying sarcoidosis. Mycobacterium arosiense has rarely been reported clinically and the first description of the species was identified as the cause of osteomyelitis in a child with a hereditary partial interferon gamma deficiency. Symptoms attributed to sarcoidosis waned on Mycobacterium arosiense treatment and it is inconclusive whether the patient ever suffered from sarcoidosis. Mycobacterium arosiense was misidentified by the GenoType as Mycobacterium intracellulare and implicates that the diagnosis requires supplemental sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.

Surgical Treatment of Chronic Osteomyelitis

Introduction.In this study, we analysed the results of applying various surgical methods in the combined treatment of inflammatory diseases of bones and joints.Materials and methods.The work was based on data from a multi-dimensional cohort study using non-concurrent (historical) control. A retrospective study included the analysis of medical records covering the period of 2009–2016 (1059 patients). A prospective study consisted in analysing the effectiveness of modern surgical methods in the combined treatment of inflammatory diseases of bones and joints in patients hospitalised to the Septic Surgery Department of the G.G. Kuvatov Republican Clinical Hospital (Ufa, Russia) in 2017–2018 (285 patients).Results and discussion.An analysis of the authors’ own data revealed that injuries (73.21%) and infectious complications after receiving surgery on bones and joints (15.03%) are the most common causes of osteomyelitis. In most cases, the following list of measures is optimal for diagnosing suspected osteomyelitis of various etiologies: X-ray, general clinical tests supplemented by the fistulography or CT of the affected area prior to surgery, as well as the examination of surgical material after surgery. The use of modern methods for surgical debridement and surgical repair of bone defects in the combined treatment of patients with chronic osteomyelitis can significantly reduce the relapse rate. It is recommended that patients with osteomyelitis be treated at large in-patient surgical facilities, which include a specialised department for the treatment of surgical infections and corresponding support services.Conclusion.Apparently, there is no one most optimal method for treating osteomyelitis. The optimal effect in the treatment of osteomyelitis is achieved through a personalised set of therapeutic measures using the following methods: laser vaporisation, negative-pressure wound therapy, ultrasonic cavitation in the focus of inflammation, as well as surgical repair of the post-trepanation bone defect or wound.

In vitro time-kill kinetics of dalbavancin against Staphylococcus spp. biofilms over prolonged exposure times

Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are leading pathogens of biofilm-related infections and represent the most common cause of osteomyelitis and biomedical implants infections. Biofilm-related infections usually require long-term antibiotic treatment, often associated to surgical interventions. Dalbavancin is a newer lipoglycopeptide approved for the treatment of acute skin and skin-structure infections caused by Gram-positive pathogens. In addition, dalbavancin has recently been considered as a potential option for the treatment of staphylococcal osteomyelitis and orthopedic implant infections.In this study, time-kill kinetics of dalbavancin against S. aureus and S. epidermidis biofilms were determined over prolonged exposure times (up to 7 days), using both a standardized biofilm susceptibility model and biofilms grown onto relevant orthopedic biomaterials (i.e. titanium and cobalt-chrome disks). Dalbavancin (at concentrations achievable in bone and articular tissue) showed a potent activity against established staphylococcal biofilms in both tested models, and was overall superior to the comparator vancomycin.

Imaging tests for the detection of osteomyelitis: a systematic review.

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. Medical imaging tests, such as radiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), are often used to diagnose osteomyelitis. To systematically review the evidence on the diagnostic accuracy, inter-rater reliability and implementation of imaging tests to diagnose osteomyelitis. We conducted a systematic review of imaging tests to diagnose osteomyelitis. We searched MEDLINE and other databases from inception to July 2018. Risk of bias was assessed with QUADAS-2 [quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (version 2)]. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using bivariate regression models. Imaging tests were compared. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the location and nature of the suspected osteomyelitis. Studies of children, inter-rater reliability and implementation outcomes were synthesised narratively. Eighty-one studies were included (diagnostic accuracy: 77 studies; inter-rater reliability: 11 studies; implementation: one study; some studies were included in two reviews). One-quarter of diagnostic accuracy studies were rated as being at a high risk of bias. In adults, MRI had high diagnostic accuracy [95.6% sensitivity, 95% confidence interval (CI) 92.4% to 97.5%; 80.7% specificity, 95% CI 70.8% to 87.8%]. PET also had high accuracy (85.1% sensitivity, 95% CI 71.5% to 92.9%; 92.8% specificity, 95% CI 83.0% to 97.1%), as did SPECT (95.1% sensitivity, 95% CI 87.8% to 98.1%; 82.0% specificity, 95% CI 61.5% to 92.8%). There was similar diagnostic performance with MRI, PET and SPECT. Scintigraphy (83.6% sensitivity, 95% CI 71.8% to 91.1%; 70.6% specificity, 57.7% to 80.8%), computed tomography (69.7% sensitivity, 95% CI 40.1% to 88.7%; 90.2% specificity, 95% CI 57.6% to 98.4%) and radiography (70.4% sensitivity, 95% CI 61.6% to 77.8%; 81.5% specificity, 95% CI 69.6% to 89.5%) all had generally inferior diagnostic accuracy. Technetium-99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime white blood cell scintigraphy (87.3% sensitivity, 95% CI 75.1% to 94.0%; 94.7% specificity, 95% CI 84.9% to 98.3%) had higher diagnostic accuracy, similar to that of PET or MRI. There was no evidence that diagnostic accuracy varied by scan location or cause of osteomyelitis, although data on many scan locations were limited. Diagnostic accuracy in diabetic foot patients was similar to the overall results. Only three studies in children were identified; results were too limited to draw any conclusions. Eleven studies evaluated inter-rater reliability. MRI had acceptable inter-rater reliability. We found only one study on test implementation and no evidence on patient preferences or cost-effectiveness of imaging tests for osteomyelitis. Most studies included < 50 participants and were poorly reported. There was limited evidence for children, ultrasonography and on clinical factors other than diagnostic accuracy. Osteomyelitis is reliably diagnosed by MRI, PET and SPECT. No clear reason to prefer one test over the other in terms of diagnostic accuracy was identified. The wider availability of MRI machines, and the fact that MRI does not expose patients to harmful ionising radiation, may mean that MRI is preferable in most cases. Diagnostic accuracy does not appear to vary with the potential cause of osteomyelitis or with the body part scanned. Considerable uncertainty remains over the diagnostic accuracy of imaging tests in children. Studies of diagnostic accuracy in children, particularly using MRI and ultrasound, are needed. This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42017068511. This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 23, No. 61. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Treatment of Cavitary Bone Defects in Chronic Osteomyelitis: Biogactive glass S53P4 vs. Calcium Sulphate Antibiotic Beads.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of bioglass (BAG-S53P4) in the treatment of patients with chronic osteomyelitis and compare the results with calcium sulphate antibiotic beads in one medical centre.Methods: Retrospective analysis of 25 cases. Inclusion criteria: patients diagnosed clinically and radiographically of osteomyelitis and treated surgically (Group 1: cavitary bone defects treated with bioglass and Group 2: cavitary bone defects treated with calcium sulphate antibiotic beads) during the period of 2014 and 2015 in one medical centre.Results: Patients in group 1 (bioglass treatment): total of 12 patients (11 males and 1 female) with mean age: 50 years (30-86). Average length of hospital stay was 22 days and mean follow-up time: 23 months (16-33). Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and mean c-reactive protein (CRP) before surgery: 55mm/hr and 54 mg/L, respectively. Mean ESR and mean CRP in last blood exam: 18 mm/hr and 8 mg/L, respectively. There were 2 postoperative complications: seroma formation and delayed wound healing. Only 1 patient had recurrence of infection.Patients in group 2 (calcium sulphate antibiotic beads treatment): total of 13 patients (9 males and 4 females) with mean age: 48 years (17-67). Average length of hospital stay was 21 days and mean follow-up time 22 months (16-29). Mean ESR and mean CRP before surgery: 51mm/hr and 41 mg/L, respectively. Mean ESR and mean CRP in last blood test: 15 mm/hr and 11 mg/L. 2 postoperative complications were registered: chronic expanding hematoma of the muscle flap donor site and seroma formation. 1 patient had recurrence of infection. Overall, there were no differences in recurrence of infection, p=0.740 and in complication rate, p=0.672. 11 (91,7%) patients in group 1 and 12 (92,3%) patients in group 2 showed no signs of recurrence of infection both clinically and radiologically at final follow-up.The most frequent cause of osteomyelitis in group 1 was post traumatic while a postsurgical aetiology was more frequent in group 2. The distal tibia was the most common location. The most frequent pathogen isolated in both groups was methicillin sensible staphylococcus aureus.Conclusions: An advance in treatment of patients with cavitary bone defects in chronic osteomyelitis is the use of synthetic bone substitutes although current evidence is low. In this study, we demonstrate how bioglass without local antibiotics and calcium sulphate antibiotic beads are both equally effective treatment options. Overall, there were no differences between groups in mean hospital stay, complication rates and recurrence of infection.

Prolonged and high dosage of tigecycline \u2013 successful treatment of spondylodiscitis caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: a case report

BackgroundThe incidence of infectious spondylodiscitis has been increasing over the last few years. This reflects the expanding elderly and immunocompromised populations and the rising implementation of invasive spinal procedures. Infection may be inoculated into the disc space directly during invasive spinal procedures. Osteomyelitis caused by Acinetobacter species is rare and mainly caused by multidrug-resistant strains.Case presentationWe present the case of a 72-year-old Greek woman with postoperative spondylodiscitis caused by a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strain that was successfully treated, after she declined surgical treatment, with prolonged and high dosage of tigecycline. She received intravenously administered tigecycline 200 mg per day for 60 days and then 100 mg per day for a total of 102 days and was infection-free.ConclusionsWe reviewed the literature on the role of Acinetobacter baumannii as a cause of osteomyelitis, emphasizing the difficulty of treatment and the potential role of tigecycline in conservative treatment of the infection. We believe that 102 days in total is the longest time that any patient has received tigecycline in the literature, thus our patient is a unique case of successful treatment of spondylodiscitis.

Outpatient treatment of osteomyelitis with telavancin

Telavancin is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic with bactericidal activity against Gram-positive pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, the most frequent cause of osteomyelitis. Treatment is often challenging due to needs for surgical intervention along with prolonged administration of intravenous antimicrobials, frequently in an outpatient setting. This was a retrospective analysis of the efficacy and safety of telavancin for treatment of osteomyelitis provided as outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in physician office infusion centres. Medical records of 60 patients receiving telavancin for osteomyelitis in 22 physician office infusion centres from 2010 to 2011 and 2013 to 2015 were reviewed. Of these, 60% were treated without hospitalisation, 37% had orthopaedic hardware and 56% had concurrent infections. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (78%), primarily methicillin-resistant. The median duration of telavancin treatment in the outpatient setting was 21 days (range 3–105 days). Telavancin was used as first-line therapy in 32% of cases, following prior antibiotic failure in 47% and due to intolerance to previous agents in 22%, predominantly daptomycin or vancomycin. The telavancin dose was 10 mg/kg/day, adjusted for renal function in 25% of patients. The majority of patients self-administered telavancin at home via an elastomeric infusion pump. Overall clinical success was 73%. No significant differences in outcomes were observed with the presence of hardware, concurrent infection, concomitant therapies or type of osteomyelitis. Telavancin-associated adverse events occurred in 57%, with discontinuation in three patients (5%). These data demonstrate the effective and safe OPAT use of telavancin, providing an alternative for successful treatment of patients with osteomyelitis.

Systemic Melioidosis – uncommon cause of osteomyelitis in a non-endemic region

Melioidosis being tropical disease caused by soil saprophyte Burkholderia pseudomallei. We report a case in a farmer with cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus developed septic arthritis and osteomyelitis. Since south India is a non-endemic region for melioidosis, atypical presentation can lead to diagnostic delay and systemic sepsis. Awareness of melioidosis in recent times as anaetiology of isolated osteomyelitis in an immune-compromised individual.

Corynebacterium Striatum: A Concerning Pathogen of Osteomyelitis in the Diabetic Patient

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Corynebacterium striatum (C. striatum) is known to colonize the skin and mucous membranes of most normal human hosts. While it is frequently isolated in clinical laboratories, the clinical significance of C. striatum is often unknown with respect to diabetic foot infections with osteomyelitis. There have been very few studies published on this topic, and even fewer that report on treatment courses. To our knowledge, there has been no study published reporting diabetic foot osteomyelitis with isolation of C. striatum from bone culture. METHODS: Four patients were known to have been treated at our facility for C. striatum diabetic foot osteomyelitis. The medical records for each patient were thoroughly reviewed with close attention directed towards the past medical history, wound duration, wound and bone cultures, antimicrobial therapy and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Bone cultures of all 4 patients were notable for C. striatum. Diphtheroids were also noted on wound cultures for 3 patients which were not speciated. All bone cultures were obtained during surgical treatment of the diabetic foot infection. All patients were type II diabetics but varied with respect to age and gender. All patients were treated with an extended course of antibiotics and/or surgical resection of osteomyelitis. Patients were followed until complete wound closure. CONCLUSIONS: We report four cases of diabetic foot osteomyelitis in which C. striatum was noted and treated as a pathogen. Diphtheroids are often overlooked as a potential pathogen in diabetic foot infections and rarely treated as such. However, our findings suggest that clinicians should consider C. striatum as a possible cause of osteomyelitis, especially when patients fail to completely heal wounds in a timely manner that have previously and repeatedly displayed Diphtheroids from cultures.

Phage therapy of staphylococcal chronic osteomyelitis in experimental animal model.

Background & objectives:Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are the commonest cause of osteomyelitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of an alternative therapy i.e. application of S. aureus specific bacteriophages in cases of osteomyelitis caused by MRSA in animal model.Methods:Twenty two rabbits were included in this study. The first two rabbits were used to test the safety of phage cocktail while the remaining 20 rabbits were divided into three groups; group A (n=4) to assess the establishment of osteomyelitis; group B (n=4) osteomyelitis developed but therapy started only after six weeks; and group C (n=12) osteomyelitis developed and therapy started after three weeks. Groups B and C rabbits were treated with four doses of cocktail of seven virulent bacteriophages at the interval of 48 h. Comparison between three groups was made on the basis of observation of clinical, radiological, microbiological, and histopathological examinations.Results:Experimental group rabbits recovered from the illness in the subsequent two weeks of the therapy. Appetite and activity of the rabbits improved, local oedema, erythema and induration subsided. There were minimal changes associated with osteomyelitis in X-ray and histopathology also showed no signs of infection with new bone formation. Control B group rabbits also recovered well from the infection.Interpretation & conclusions:The present study shows a potential of phage therapy to treat difficult infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria.

Diabetic foot infections: effective microorganisms and factors affecting the frequency of osteomyelitis and amputation

Objectives. Diabetic foot infections are common reason for hospitalization and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the clinic features and predisposed causes of osteomyelitis and amputation of patients with diabetic foot infections. Methods. Patients with diabetic foot infections who admitted and hospitalized at Infection Diseases and Clinical Microbiology department between January 2012 and July 2014 were included. Osteomyelitis was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or bone scintigraphy. Microbiological examinations (Gram staining and culture) of the debridement materials and pus aspiration materials of the lesions were performed. Results. Of the seventy-three diabetic foot infected patients, 37 (50.7%) were female, and 36 (49.3%) were male. The mean age of patients was 57±9.8 years. The mean duration of diabetes and HbA1c level were 13.3±5.3 years and 8.17±1.83%; respectively. Soft tissue infection without osteomyelitis was present in only 34 out of 73 (46.5%) patients. A total of 89 pathogens were identified in 52 patients whereas any microorganism was not identified in 28.7%. Polymicrobial infections were detected in 30 (41%) patients. The most common isolated microorganism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (36.9%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (31.5%) and Enterococcus spp. (13.6%). Of the 37 (50.7%) patients had a history of diabetic foot infection previously, osteomyelitis progression was higher (89.2%) and statistically significant in these patients. Twelve (16.4%) patients underwent amputation. Conclusions. Advanced age and presence of osteomyelitis were found as risk factors for amputation. In the presence of osteomyelitis, treatment of diabetic foot infections is difficult and amputation rate is higher. For this reason, diabetic foot infections should be promptly treated before the development of osteomyelitis, and multidisciplinary approach is needed.