Understanding why antibiotics sometimes fail for bone infections
Official title: Mechanisms of antibiotic failure during osteomyelitis
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11111441 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores why antibiotics don't always work for serious bone infections, aiming to find better ways to treat them.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $539,604 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173795-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11111441 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for patients who have experienced or are at risk of osteomyelitis, particularly those whose infections are difficult to treat with standard antibiotics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without osteomyelitis or bacterial bone infections would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Osteomyelitis is a challenging bone infection, often caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, that requires long-term antibiotics and sometimes surgery. Despite these efforts, about one in five patients still experience treatment failure, even when the antibiotics should be effective. Our team is looking into both bacterial and body factors that might protect the bacteria from antibiotics. We believe that certain bacterial defenses and the body's own responses create a shield around the infection, making it hard for medicines to reach. By understanding these mechanisms, we hope to improve current treatments and develop new strategies to overcome antibiotic resistance in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective treatments for osteomyelitis, fewer complications, and new ways to fight antibiotic tolerance in patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of antibiotic failure in osteomyelitis are still being defined, other studies have shown that bacteria can develop tolerance in various infection settings.
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
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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.