Biofilm op orthopedisch kunstmateriaal en effectiviteit van antibiotica
Van Boegeld Gwyneth, Dooms Rune, 2025
For debilitating musculosketal diseases such as degenerative arthritis and trauma, surgical procedures such as the placement of hip or knee prostheses and the fixation of fractures are crucial components of treatment. However, every surgery carries a risk of infection when bacteria invade the surgical site. This master's thesis aims to explore the characteristics of these bacteria, the orthopedic materials they can colonize, the infections they can induce, and the strategies for effectively treating these dangerous infections, both surgically and with antibiotics.
The introduction of a foreign body, such as a prosthetic hip joint, increases the likelihood of bacterial infection. The selection of orthopedic materials is conducted with careful consideration of their properties, ensuring they are suited for specific applications. The material must not only perform well and remain stable in the body, but it must also resist potential bacterial infections on the surface. Surface characteristics, including roughness, play a significant role in this process.
A particular characteristic of bacteria is their ability to form biofilm on orthopedic implants. Biofilms consist of bacteria layered on top of one another, held together by a viscous substance. These biofilms exhibit unique properties, enabling the bacteria within them to collaborate and communicate. This cooperation contributes to increased resistance against antibiotics. Due to resistance, standard antibiotic treatments often become ineffective. Instead, more specific antibiotics are required, often in higher doses, in combinations and for extended durations, sometimes even lifelong. In the absence of treatment, bacteria from the outer layers can detach, leading to the spread of infection to surrounding tissues and the bloodstream, with potentially severe consequences. Complete eradication of biofilm is only achievable when antibiotic therapy is combined with surgery. These surgical procedures range from debridement where the infected tissue is removed and the biofilm is scrubbed off the implant, to removing the entire implant.
This thesis aims to provide greater insight into the mechanism of biofilm infections on orthopedic implants, the materials on which they can adhere and their treatment with antibiotics. This work seeks to inform both healthcare professionals and the public on the importance of responsible antibiotic use to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance and to optimize patient care. It also underscores the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention. Furthermore, it emphasizes the critical role of effective infection prevention, as implant-related infections lead to significant healthcare costs and substantially impact patients' quality of life.
| Promotor | Jeroen Neyt |
| Opleiding | Geneeskunde |
| Domein | Chirurgie |
| Kernwoorden | orthopedie infectie bacteriën orthopedische implantaten |