2022/06/08 | Events | Biomechanics
by PD Dr. med. Peter Wahl
Orthopaedic device-associated infections are notably difficult to treat. Despite better understanding of the relevant mechanisms of such infections, treatment success did not improve over the past 20 years. Persistence of microorganisms in biofilm, intracellularly and in bone compartments inaccessible to the immune system, as well as insufficient local penetration of systemically administered antibiotics are the main reasons for failure. Local delivery of antibiotics allows increased delivery at the site of infection, while reducing systemic adverse reactions.
Choosing wisely, thresholds drug concentrations for biofilm eradication may be reached while avoiding local cell toxicity. Clinical results may be improved drastically with optimized local application of antibiotics. Nevertheless, there is need for further improvements, as the solutions currently available for local delivery of antibiotics still do not provide sufficient time-concentration release profiles and are associated with specific complications. This is where a close collaboration between clinical medicine and fundamental research, between physicians and engineers, as provided in a structure as the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, is essential.
Please register by mailing to esther.gnahore@unibe.ch.
