Leveraging the Dose-Dependent Kill of Metronidazole for Targeting Biofilms That Underpin Recalcitrant Infection
Abstract
Focus Area: This study addresses the focus area of Retention Strategies. Specifically, Interventions, and/or rehabilitation strategies that can facilitate retention on duty for common combat-related musculoskeletal injuries and Treatment strategies that can be utilized along the continuum of care and enable return to duty of the Service Member within 1 year of injury. Abstract: Infection is the greatest risk to the Wounded Warrior who survives the first several hours from point of injury. The majority of these injuries and infections are to the musculoskeletal system, usually in the arms and legs. The bacteria underpinning these infections grow into complex communities called biofilms. Biofilms are very tolerant of traditional antibiotics, primarily because the bacteria living inside the colony begin to behave differently in response to their closed-off environment; they use less nutrients, grow slower, and enter a type of hibernation state. These biofilms can survive the highest concentrations of prescribed antibiotics accounting for infections that persist despite the many drugs available in this antibiotic era. We discovered a chemical compound of clinical origin that specifically attacks these more-problematic hibernating bacteria living inside the biofilm. The effect of this compound is greatly enhanced when paired with certain traditional antibiotics that are routinely prescribed for musculoskeletal infections. We are exploring this discovery for use in an experimental medical device that creates a very high concentration of antimicrobials in infected musculoskeletal sites. Our long-term objective is to develop revolutionary strategies for curing these most debilitating infections and thereby enable Wounded Warriors to return to normal life.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 28, 2022
- Source ID
- W81XWH2210191
Entities
People
- Nicholas Ashton
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Utah