Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Electromagnetic augmentation of antibiotic efficacy in infection of orthopaedic implants med./bio.

By: Pickering SA, Bayston R, Scammell BE
Published in: J Bone Joint Surg Br 2003; 85 (4): 588-593
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effect of a pulsed electromagnetic filed on the efficancy of antibiotics in the treatment of infection of implants. The growth of the bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis were studied on stainless-stell pegs in the presence of the antibiotics gentamicin or vancomycin.

Background/further details

Staphylococcus epidermidis were grown for five days on stainless-steel pegs and afterwards exposed to the pulsed electromagnetic filed in the presence of varying concentrations of the antibiotics gentamicin or vancomycin. Finally, S.epidermidis were transfered onto agar plates and incubated for colony counting.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 72 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 12 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 72 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 12 h
Modulation
Modulation type cf. additional info
Additional info

Current pulses of 5 A lasting 380 µs were supplied to the coil.
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber Incubator maintained at 37°C and 5% CO2
Setup Microtiter plate with Teflon lid containing columns of stainless steel pegs was placed at the center of the solenoid coil. The coil was placed in a mumetal magnetic shield contained in an incubator
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 0.07 V/cm - calculated - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The effectiveness of gentamicin against S. epidermidis was statistically significant increased by the pulsed electric field treatment. However, no significant effect was found with vancomycin.

Study character:

Study funded by

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