Premium
The inflammatory response to bone infection – a review based on animal models and human patients
Author(s) -
Lüthje Freja Lea,
Jensen Louise Kruse,
Jensen Henrik Elvang,
Skovgaard Kerstin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
apmis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0903-4641
DOI - 10.1111/apm.13027
Subject(s) - osteomyelitis , immune system , bone resorption , bone infection , inflammation , medicine , bone remodeling , immunology , animal studies , in vivo , staphylococcus aureus , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , bacteria
Bone infections are difficult to diagnose and treat, especially when a prosthetic joint replacement or implant is involved. Bone loss is a major complication of osteomyelitis, but the mechanism behind has mainly been investigated in cell cultures and has not been confirmed in human settings. Inflammation is important in initiating an appropriate immune response to invading pathogens. However, many of the signaling molecules used by the immune system can also modulate bone remodeling and contribute to bone resorption during osteomyelitis. Our current knowledge of the inflammatory response relies heavily on animal models as research based on human samples is scarce. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of bone infections and is the pathogen of choice in animal models. The regulation of inflammatory genes during prosthetic joint infections and implant‐associated osteomyelitis has only been studied in rodent models. It is important to consider the validity of an animal model when results are extrapolated to humans, and both bone composition and the immune system of pigs has been shown to be more similar to humans, than to rodents. Here in vivo studies on the inflammatory response to prosthetic joint infections and implant‐associated osteomyelitis are reviewed.