Development of bactericidal Putty based on bioglass for bone grafting in patients suffering from osteomyelitis

Abstract

Osteomyelitis is an infectious and inflammatory bone process caused by pathogenic microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus. It is one of the most feared problems by orthopedists and affects circa 150 million people worldwide every year. Many of these people suffer from serious infections and face years of antibiotic-based therapy, multiple surgical interventions and, in cases without remission, they are subjected to limb amputation. Osteomyelitis common treatments involve prolonged and complex protocols, depending on the pathogen, its location and the risk factors associated with the patients themselves. Generally, surgical treatment for patients with osteomyelitis is performed in two stages. First, the infected bone is subjected to a debridement procedure and local and systemic antibiotics are administered. In the second stage, if the infection control is obtained, an additional surgery is necessary to reconstruct the bone defect with an autologous bone graft or a synthetic material. Many efforts have been made in the development of materials with bactericidal properties, so that the treatment can be carried out in a single step, as this would represent lower hospital costs, higher quality of life for the patient and higher rates of treatment success. However, the vast majority of commercially available bone grafts are not indicated for patients with osteomyelitis. Currently, bioactive glasses or bioglasses, which have high bioactivity and bactericidal properties have been presented as a possible alternative to treat osteomyelitis in just one step. Taking all these factors into account, VETRA intends to develop a product based on the recently developed bioglass F18 for the treatment of bone injuries in patients affected by osteomyelitis. The F18 bioglass has demonstrated throughout several in vitro and in vivo tests to have a high bioactivity and a marked bactericidal and fungicidal effect. These properties are highly desirable in a bone graft material. Aiming to meet another important market need, this project proposes the development of a graft material with bactericidal properties and a putty consistency, so that it can be molded or injected, thus facilitating surgical procedures and being less invasive during placement. This is a project of great technological relevance and with great market potential, in addition brings us the possibility of meeting a shortage of the market, making a national product available and at affordable prices. In the Phase I of this project, we intend to demonstrate the technical feasibility of obtaining the Putty material and perform its primary characterization. (AU)