IMBI

TO1

Strengthening research, technological development and innovation

The project in numbers

Duration:

24 months

Start date: 01.01.20

End date: 30.06.22

N. Partner: 5

Progress

Budget:

837.111,08€

Budget FERS:

711.544,40€

The project in numbers

Duration:

24 months

Start / End:

01.01.20 to 30.06.22

Project progress:

74%

Budget:

837111.08€

Budget FERS:

711544.40€

Diagnosis of prosthetic infections in orthopedics with innovative methods based on the use of bacteriophages

Priority Axis 1

Promoting innovation capacities for a more competitive area

Specific Objective:

OS 1.1.

Investment Priority:

PI 1b

Typology:

Standard

Overall Objective of the Project:

The general project objective is the creation of a strong cooperation between project partners with the aim of creating a rapid, reliable and specific diagnostic test using bacteriophages for the detection and identification of the bacteria responsible of the prosthetic joint infection. This will allow the identification of the most effective therapeutic approach and the consequent use of a specific antibiotic treatment.

Project summary:

Crucial for orthopedics is a reliable and fast diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection in order to proceed with the most appropriate therapy. Starting from promising preliminary results on an innovative new dosage mediated by bacteriophages (New Microbiol. 40 (3), 2017, ISN 1121-7138), the project aims to design a diagnostic test for bacterial detection within the fluid of sonication from an infected prosthetic articulation, by using an optimized suspension of specific phages. This test will be rapid, sensitive and specific to detect only live bacteria. It will be validated on a clinical study on patients with revision arthroprosthesis (survey already approved by the Ethics Committee). In addition, the project aims to significantly reduce the time required to identify and define the most correct diagnosis. The use of antibiotics will be made more effective, or eliminated, in order to reduce microbial resistance, a significant problem as reported in the specific European Program "EU One Health Action Plan against Anti Microbial Resistance ". Furthermore, the project shows the possible use of bacteriophages in therapy, as currently occurs in the ex-USSR. The project will also aim to create a library of phages in which the bacteriophages can be supplied on request, thus creating in this area the first European center on phages.

Main results:

The main project result is the greater cooperation between clinics, research centers and SMEs operating in bacteriological diagnostics through bacteriophages by the creation of a cross-border public / private network for development and promotion of new diagnostic tools for the detection and identification of bacteria in Prosthetic Joint Infection (PJI). The project will have a major impact on population and cross-border stakeholders, increasing overall compliance for patients (period of hospitalization, assistance and care, effective antibiotic therapy) and at the same time reducing the overall cost for health systems. This network aims to becoming an European center of excellence in phage research, also with the aim of further expansion towards diagnosis of other bacterial infections and for improved antimicrobial therapies, both more effective (with antibiotics currently available on the market) and innovative (with bacteriophages as drugs). Bacterial infection is not only a problem in orthopedic surgery, but also a cross-cutting health care problem. The innovative diagnostic approaches that will be developed by the project will therefore also target other health institutions. The consortium of partners will represent the basis for further cooperation within the Center of excellence aimed at research on bacteriophages and their use in clinical practice.