Does the effectiveness and mechanical strength of kanamycin-loaded bone cement in musculoskeletal tuberculosis compare to vancomycin-loaded bone cement?

Abstract Background Antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) is used to deliver antimycobacterial agents into the focal lesion of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Although kanamycin is currently used as an antimycobacterial agent for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, there is no information about its suitability in ALBC. Methods An in vitro experiment was conducted with cylindrical shape of 40 g bone cement with 1, 2 and 3 g kanamycin. Eluate (1 mL) was extracted from each specimen to measure the level of elution and antimycobacterial activity on days 1, 4, 7, 14, and 30. The quantity of kanamycin in eluates was evaluated by a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry system, and the antimycobacterial activity of eluates against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, was calculated by comparing the minimal inhibitory concentration. The ultimate compression strength was conducted using a material testing system machine before and after elution. Results Eluates from ALBC containing 2 and 3 g kanamycin had effective antimycobacterial activity for 30 days, while elutes from ALBC containing 1 g kanamycin were partially active until day 30. The pre-eluted compression strength of kanamycin and vancomycin-loaded cement was weaker as they contained a larger amount of antibiotics. There was no statistical difference between the strength of all kanamycin regimens and 1 g of vancomycin in the ultimate compression test. After 30 days of elution, the strength of all kanamycin and vancomycin-loaded cement cylinders were significantly lower than that of initial specimens (P Conclusions The antimycobacterial activity of ALBC containing more than 2 g kanamycin was effective during a 30-day period. The ultimate compression strength of bone cement loaded with 1 to 3 g kanamycin was comparable with 1 g vancomycin while maintaining effective elution until day 30.