Bacteria are not only the cause of colds or gastrointestinal infections, but also cause infections in our bones. To avoid permanent damage to bones and joints, early treatment is necessary. We inform you about different types of bone infections, typical symptoms as well as diagnosis and treatment of such an infection.
What is a bone infection?
Both components of our bones, outer bone tissue and inner bone marrow, can be affected by a bone infection. If the bone marrow is inflamed, it is called osteomyelitis. If the infection affects only the bone tissue, it is called ostitis (or osteitis).
Since our bones are not as well supplied with blood as our lungs, for example, the body’s own defenses against infections in the bone cannot work as effectively. As a result, a so-called necrotizing inflammation occurs, which leads to the death of the tissue. Thus, the bone loses substance.
Endogenous and exogenous bone infections
Purulent infection of bone is triggered by bacteria. Depending on how the pathogens reach their destination, whether the infection occurs suddenly or insidiously, and which bacteria are causative, a distinction is made between different forms.
Exogenous bone infection If the pathogens enter the body from the outside and have direct contact with the bone, this is called an exogenous infection. This can happen during an injury, such as an open fracture, during surgery, or during a puncture – that is, a removal of body tissue using a cannula.
Endogenous bone infection Bacteria can also travel to the bones through the blood system from another source of inflammation in the body, such as otitis media. In this case, the infection is called endogenous. Endogenous bone infection usually affects children and adolescents, and more often boys.
Acute and chronic bone infections
Acute bone infection If the bacteria have a very high infectious power – this is called virulence – and the patient’s defense mechanisms are weakened, it is called an acute bone infection. Affected individuals develop very pronounced symptoms very quickly.
Chronic bone infection On the other hand, if the virulence of the pathogens is low and the patient’s immune system is intact, a chronic course is more likely to occur. The disease develops insidiously, and symptoms often do not appear for some time (after more than 6 weeks) and sometimes are not as severe.
Specific and nonspecific bone infections
Specific bone infection The cause of a specific bone infection is the causative agents of leprosy, tuberculosis, syphilis, or typhoid fever. Tuberculosis is less common in Western industrialized countries than in many regions of the developing world.
Non-specific bone infection The other bone infections caused by bacteria are called non-specific bone infections. They are usually caused by bacteria that belong to the genus Staphylococcus.
