Osteomyelitis is an acute or chronic bone infection, usually caused by
bacteria. Chronic osteomyelitis results when bone tissue dies as a result of the lost
blood supply. Chronic infection can persist intermittently for years.
Phage Therapy
Etiology: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas
Phage Therapy Center
Phage Therapy Center treats antibiotic-resistant infections. [More information...]
Fred Bledsoe of Indiana and Alfred Gertler of Canada were treated at Phage Therapy
Center for foot infections in the past two years. Both had been told by their doctors at
home that their infections were not responding to antibiotics and amputation was
recommended.
Osteomyelitis
Canadian Citizen, A.G., male, 39 Yr
 |
| February
21, 2001 |
 |
| February
24, 2001 |
After 10 days of phage treatment, Bledsoe’s infection was clearly
in retreat: “It was almost instantaneous, it started to work that fast,” says
his sister, Saharra, who accompanied him to Georgia. “The tissue around the wound
just looked different, even after just one treatment.”
Ten months after Gertler returned from Georgia, his foot and ankle are completely
healed, and he has resumed his career as a jazz bassist.
A US citizen from Fort Wayne, Indiana and after the stepping on a nail, his wound
became infected. After 10 weeks of unsuccessful treatment in hospital he faced
amputation; however, he opted to travel to Tbilisi, Georgia for successful phage therapy
treatment. [Alfred's
Story]
PhageBioDerm is designed to treat and
prevent infection and maintain appropriate moisture levels, with maximum mobility and
minimum need for materials and time involvement from therapists.
Additional Information About Phage Therapy for This Condition
Evergreen State College
Polish Update
Hirzfield Institute of Immunology and Virology
Therapeutic
Use of Bacteriophages in Bacterial Infections
Evergreen State College
Bacteriophage Home Phage
Hirzfield Institute of Immunology and Virology
Efficacy of Phage Therapy - Clinical Trials
International Journal of Dermatology
A novel sustained-release matrix based on biodegradable poly(ester
amide)s and impregnated with bacteriophages and an antibiotic shows promise in management
of infected venous stasis ulcers and other poorly healing wounds
The Star Ledger
Germs that Fight Germs
The News Sentinel
Rare cure
saves man's foot
CBS News: 48 Hours
Silent
Killers: Fantastic Phages?
Eliava Institute
List of Bacteriophages
Medical Information
eMedicine, August 17, 2004
Osteomyelitis
In the US: The overall prevalence is 1 per 5,000 children. Neonatal prevalence is
approximately 1 per 1,000. The annual incidence in sickle cell patients is approximately
0.36%. The prevalence of osteomyelitis after foot puncture may be as high as 16% (30-40%
in patients with diabetes). Morbidity can be significant and can include localized spread
of infection to associated soft tissues or joints; evolution to chronic infection, with
pain and disability; amputation of the involved extremity; generalized infection; or
sepsis. Up to 10-15% of patients with vertebral osteomyelitis will develop neurologic
findings or frank spinal-cord compression.
Solucient, August 5, 2003
Study:
Drug-resistant infections increasing in U.S. hospitals
Staph aureus causes a variety of serious infections, including post-operative
wound infections, endocarditis (infection of heart valves), and osteomyelitis (infection
of bone).
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, December,
1999
Lumbar Vertebral Osteomyelitis
with Mycotic Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Caused by Highly Penicillin-Resistant Streptococcus
pneumoniae
The occurrence of all three phenomena in a single patient has not been
previously described. This presentation offers the opportunity to reflect on the
increasing incidence of S. pneumoniae as a resistant pathogen, the treatment of
highly penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae, and the etiologic agents of both vertebral
osteomyelitis and mycotic aneurysm.
National Health Museum, Sept. 16, 1996
Rising
Resistance to Antibiotics
Staphylococcus aureus, the most common cause of more than a dozen conditions in both
hospitals and communities, can be considered the "ultimate pathogen," according
to Gordon L. Archer, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Chairman, Division of Infectious
Diseases, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University. S. aureus often
colonizes without any signs of infection, and then from this reservoir gains access to
skin and deep tissue, where it subverts the immune system. Staphylococcal infections range
from local skin infections to endocarditis (heart valve infection), osteomyelitis (bone
infection) and sepsis (blood stream infection).
Better Health Channel
Staphylococcus aureus
It is sometimes referred to as 'golden staph'. In the days before antibiotics, a severe
infection was fatal for around 80 per cent of victims. |
