Localized antibiotic released hydroxyapatite beads for bone and joint infection treatment
Background
Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bone and its marrow contents caused by infection leading to bone necrosis and destruction. Repeated debridement and prolonged systemic antibiotic are often done to eradicate the bacteria in the infected area since high dose of antibiotics could not be administrated due to possible numerous toxic side effects.
Goal
To develop the dual functioned biomaterials that could act as antibiotics released substrate and bone graft simultaneously.
What does the research team do?
National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) has cooperated with the Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University (TU) in developing porous hydroxyapatite beads which could be impregnated with high dose of antibiotics and release the drug when being in contact with the body fluid. There is no need for re-operation to remove the beads since hydroxyapatite also acts as bone substituted implant.
Research results
Antibiotics impregnated hydroxyapatite beads could be successfully produced with suitable releasing properties including high concentration in a short time to eradicate all the bacteria at site and low concentration sustained releasing to maintain the aseptic condition for tissue healing. No complication or body rejection from using these antibiotics impregnated hydroxyapatite beads was observed. The patients recovered well and the osteomyelitis was successfully cured. Bone fusion at the defect was also detected resulting in the recovery of organ function.
Research status
Undergoing multicenter clinical trial in 12 hospitals in Thailand (financially supported by Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI)) and seeking for technology transfer.
Outlook
Further development of several drug and bioactive ingredients incorporation to be locally released for bone treatment and regeneration.
Research team:
MTEC: Jintamai Suwanprateeb, Ph.D. and team
Thammasat University: Assoc. Prof. Bancha Chernchujit, M.D. and team
Contact:
Dr.Jintamai Suwanprateeb (Principal Researcher)
Biofunctional materials and devices research group
Tel. 02 564 6500 ext. 4339
E-mail: jintamai@mtec.or.th
