Using cold plasma to treat bone infections
Plasma-based therapies for bone infection: A tripartite USA/Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland consortium
This study is exploring a new way to treat stubborn bone infections using cold plasma and special liquids, which could help patients who struggle with infections that don't respond to regular antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10999297 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of cold plasma and plasma-activated liquid to treat bone infections, which are often resistant to current antibiotic therapies. The approach involves applying these novel treatments to combat biofilms formed by bacteria like MRSA, which complicate healing and recovery. The study is conducted by an international team of experts in various fields, aiming to understand how these treatments can stimulate the immune response while avoiding antibiotic resistance. Patients may benefit from a new, effective treatment option that could reduce the duration and cost of current therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with orthopedic infections, particularly those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Not a fit: Patients with infections that are not related to orthopedic procedures or those who do not have antibiotic-resistant infections may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a groundbreaking treatment for patients suffering from difficult-to-treat bone infections.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of cold plasma in other medical applications has shown promise, this specific approach to treating bone infections is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Thomas Jefferson University — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Freeman, Theresa a — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Freeman, Theresa a
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.