Multimodal and Multiscale Characterization of the Bone‐Bacteria Interface in a Case of Medication‐Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a known side effect of bisphosphonates (BPs). Although bacterial infection is usually present, the etiology of MRONJ remains unknown. Here we apply a multimodal and multiscale (micro‐to‐nano) characterization approach to investigate the interface between necrotic bone and bacteria in MRONJ. A non‐necrotic bone sample was used as control. Both necrotic and non‐necrotic bone samples were collected from the jaw of a female individual affected by MRONJ after using BPs for 23 years. For the first time, resin cast etching was used to expose bacteria at the necrotic site. The bone–bacteria interface was also resolved at the nanoscale by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Nanosized particulates, likely corresponding to degraded bone mineral, were often noted in close proximity to or enclosed by the bacteria. STEM also revealed that the bone–bacteria interface is composed of a hypermineralized front fading into a highly disordered region, with decreasing content of calcium and phosphorus, as assessed by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). This, combined with the variation in calcium, phosphorus, and carbon across the necrotic bone–bacteria interface evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)‐energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and the lower mineral‐to‐matrix ratio measured by micro‐Raman spectroscopy in necrotic bone, indicates the absence of a mineralization front in MRONJ. It appears that the bone–bacteria interface originates not only from uncontrolled mineralization but also from the direct action of bacteria degrading the bone matrix. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.