How changes in bacterial surface sugars affect phage treatment for infected joint replacements
The Role of Teichoic Acid Glycosylation in Phage Activity and Selection in an Ongoing FDA Phase II/III Clinical Study of Bacteriophage Therapy in Chronic Periprosthetic Joint Infection
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11144399
This project looks at whether changes in a bacterial surface molecule change how well virus-based (bacteriophage) treatments work for people with chronic infected joint replacements.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11144399 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have a chronic infection around a joint implant, doctors will take samples of the bacteria and try to match them to viruses (phages) that can kill those bacteria. Researchers will study how a bacterial surface molecule called wall teichoic acid (WTA) and its sugar modifications affect phage binding and killing in the lab. Those laboratory findings will be linked to outcomes from an ongoing Phase II/III clinical program of personalized phage therapy for periprosthetic joint infection. The goal is to understand when a matched phage is likely to work or fail so doctors can choose better treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic periprosthetic joint infections (PJI), especially those with Staphylococcus aureus infections and who are being considered for bacteriophage therapy or revision surgery.
Not a fit: People without PJI, those whose infections are caused by bacteria not represented in the phage library, or those not eligible for the clinical trial are unlikely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help clinicians choose more effective phage treatments and increase the chance of curing chronic joint implant infections.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier compassionate-use cases reported promising responses and this work builds on an ongoing FDA Phase II/III clinical program of personalized phage therapy.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: URISH, KENNETH L — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: URISH, KENNETH L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Bacterial Infections, Cancers