Metallic nanoparticles to eradicate bacterial bone infection

Treatment of osteomyelitis by conventional antibiotics has proven to be challenging due to limited accessibility to this unique location. Inorganic routes against bacterial infection have been reported for external and topical applications, however in vivo application of these antimicrobials has not been fully explored. Targeted delivery of metallic nanoparticles with inherent antimicrobial activity represents an alternative means of overcoming the challenges posed by multidrug-resistant bacteria and may potentially reduce overall morbidity. In this study we utilized silver–copper–boron composite nanoparticles in an attempt to eradicate S. aureus bone infection in mice. Our results demonstrate effective response when nanoparticles were administered via i.v. or i.m. route (1 mg/kg dose) where 99% of bacteria were eliminated in an induced osteomyelitis mouse model. The 1 mg/kg dose was neither toxic nor produced any adverse immune response, hence it is believed that metallic nanoparticles present an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of bone infection.