Date of Award

Fall 9-28-2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS Biology

Department

Biology

Advisor

Jessica Cottrell, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Angela Klaus, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Brian Nichols, Ph.D.

Keywords

vancomycin, osteoblast, bone, Type II DM

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSI) can develop post-operatively and carry significant clinical and financial implications. SSI can carry a cost of up to $30,000 per case, as well as an estimated 6 day longer hospitalization. Patients with Type II Diabetes (DM) have an increased susceptibility to infection and suffer from poor bone healing overall. Therefore, diabetic patients who have undergone orthopedic surgery risk both an increased chance of developing an SSI as well as suboptimal bone healing. Vancomycin and other antibiotics have traditionally been used prophylactically to prevent infection, however the effect of vancomycin on bone healing in a diabetic population has not been well documented. Periosteum derived osteoblasts were treated with BMP-2, and vancomycin concentrations of 0 ug/mL, 5 ug/mL, 50 ug/mL, 500 ug/mL, and 5,000 ug/mL. The purpose of this work was to examine the effects, if any, that vancomycin had on periosteum derived osteoblast precursor functions including calcium deposition, osteoblast differentiation, and cell viability. Continuously dosed osteoblasts at a concentration of 5,000 ug/mL had a 3-fold decrease in calcium deposition when compared to the BMP-2 treated group (Presistant MRSA infections of 16 ug/mL. Therefore, clinically appropriate dosages of topical vancomycin can be used prophylactically in the diabetic patient, without concern for further inhibiting bone healing post-repair.

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