Understanding why antibiotics fail to treat bone infections
Official title: Mechanisms of antibiotic failure during osteomyelitis
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10877937 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why antibiotics sometimes don't work for people with osteomyelitis, a tough bone infection, so we can find better ways to treat it and help patients heal.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $553,166 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173795-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10877937 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with osteomyelitis, particularly those who have not responded well to standard antibiotic therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with osteomyelitis who have already achieved successful treatment outcomes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind the failure of antibiotic treatments in patients suffering from osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection often caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The study aims to identify specific bacterial and host factors that contribute to antibiotic tolerance, which can lead to treatment failure. By using a murine model, researchers will analyze how bacteria develop resistance and how they are shielded from antibiotics within the body. The ultimate goal is to improve treatment strategies and develop new methods to effectively combat these infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for osteomyelitis, reducing the rate of treatment failure and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of antibiotic failure in osteomyelitis are being explored in this research, similar studies have shown promise in understanding antibiotic resistance in other bacterial infections.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cassat, James E — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Cassat, James E
Related research
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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.