Using bacteriophages to treat infections from bone fractures
Official title: The utility of bacteriophage therapy in fracture-related infections: Preclinical research needed to create effective and reproducible treatment protocols
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11061862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat infections that can happen after bone surgeries by using special viruses called bacteriophages, which might help get rid of stubborn bacteria that don't respond to regular antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $164,540 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AR084183-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have undergone fracture surgery and are experiencing complications due to infections that are resistant to standard antibiotic treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have fracture-related infections or those whose infections are effectively treated with conventional antibiotics may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of bacteriophage therapy as a novel treatment for infections that occur after fracture surgeries, known as fracture-related infections (FRI). The study aims to understand how these infections develop and how bacteriophages can effectively target and eliminate the bacteria involved, especially those that form biofilms on orthopedic implants. By analyzing the genetic makeup of the bacteria and the locations where biofilms form, researchers will develop better treatment protocols for administering bacteriophages. This approach could lead to more effective management of infections that are resistant to traditional antibiotics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from difficult-to-treat infections following bone fractures.
How similar studies have gone: While bacteriophage therapy is a relatively novel approach, there have been promising results in other studies exploring its effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant infections.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levack, Ashley — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Levack, Ashley
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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.