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. 2019 Sep 6;14(1):286.
doi: 10.1186/s13018-019-1342-3.

Microwaves increase the effectiveness of systemic antibiotic treatment in acute bone infection: experimental study in a rat model

Xiao-Yang Qi  1   2 , Xu-Sheng Qiu  3   4 , Jiang-Yun Jiang  1 , Yi-Xin Chen  5   6 , Li-Ming Tang  2 , Hong-Fei Shi  1   7
Affiliations

Microwaves increase the effectiveness of systemic antibiotic treatment in acute bone infection: experimental study in a rat model

Xiao-Yang Qi et al. J Orthop Surg Res. .

Abstract

Background: Osteomyelitis is a challenge for orthopedic surgeons due to its protracted treatment process. Microwaves (MWs) can increase blood perfusion due to their thermal effect. Furthermore, MWs demonstrated significant bactericidal effects in vitro. In the present study, we assumed that the application of a 2450-MHz-frequency MW together with systemic antibiotic treatment would provide synergy for the treatment of acute osteomyelitis.

Methods: The medullary cavity of the right tibia was inoculated with 107 CFU of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA-ATCC 29213) in 40 rats, and the rats were randomly divided into four groups according to treatment: group I, saline (control); group II, saline + MW therapy; group III, systemic cefuroxime; and group IV, systemic cefuroxime + MW therapy. MWs were applied for 20 min per day to the infected limbs, and all rats were sacrificed on the 7th day. The severity of tibial osteomyelitis was assessed by quantitative culture analysis.

Results: Bacterial counts in groups III and IV were significantly reduced compared with those in the control (p = 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, significant differences were detected between groups III and IV (p = 0.033). However, the difference between groups I and II was nonsignificant (p = 0.287).

Conclusion: Our experimental model suggests that MW therapy provides a significant synergy for systemic antibiotic treatment. However, further clinical trials are required to safely use this treatment modality in patients.

Keywords: Cefuroxime; Microwave; Osteomyelitis; Staphylococcus aureus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The right leg of the rat underwent MW exposure
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Signs of bone infection in the control group. Skeletal changes were obscure on X-rays, but osteolytic change and bone destruction (yellow arrow) still could be seen (b) compare to the contralateral tibia (a); biopsy specimen showed pus (red arrow) on the proximal tibia (c)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Typical bacterial colonies grown on the blood agar plates (at serial dilutions of 10–3). a Group I without treatment. b Group II receiving only MW therapy. c Group III receiving only systemic cefuroxime. d Group IV treated with a combination of MW and systemic cefuroxime
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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