Effect of ibuprofen on gross pathology, bacterial count, and levels of prostaglandin E2 in experimental staphylococcal osteomyelitis.

Infections with Staphylococcus aureus were induced in rat tibiae without sclerosing agents. Animals received ibuprofen or 0.9% NaCl. Both ibuprofen-treated and control animals developed a progressively more-destructive disease over 12 days. Gross tibial pathology was significantly reduced in animals receiving ibuprofen for both six and 12 days postinfection. Radiographic evidence of osteomyelitis was attenuated at 12 days. Geometric mean counts of S. aureus were, however, not significantly changed by ibuprofen treatment. Mean levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were highest in untreated controls. Ibuprofen treatment of infected animals was associated with a much-reduced mean value of PGE2. Ibuprofen-treated infected tibiae disclosed less PGE2 than did either ibuprofen- or NaCl-treated uninfected tibiae.