Study of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Ability to Destroy Bone Matrix in Absences of Host

Abstract

PurposeOsteomyelitis is an infectious bone process leading to bone necrosis and destruction. Published reports on pathogen biofilm thus far have focused on indirect bone resorption mediated by host cells and factors secondary to immune system activation. However, direct bone resorption due to biofilm pathogen has not been adequately studied yet. This study aims to investigate the effect of biofilm pathogen in ex-vivo human bones in the absence of the host immune response using Raman spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy. MethodsBone samples collected from patients who underwent knee replacement surgeries were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Bacterial direct effects on the bone quality were then examined, at various time intervals, using Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. ResultsRaman spectroscopy and scanning electron demonstrated the destruction of bone structure and drop in bone quality. ConclusionThis experiment shows the direct effect of bacteria on bone during osteomyelitis in addition to the recognised destruction caused by the host immune system.