In accordance with a role of the CCL2-CCR2 axis in S. aureus-induced osteomyelitis, Ccr2-deficient mice had a higher bacterial load than wild type mice in a model of implant-associated S. aureus infection in which a bioluminescent bacterial strain was inoculated directly into the knee joint after implantation of an orthopedic-grade titanium pin. The gene discussed is CCR2; the disease is osteomyelitis.