In Vitro Efficacy of Phage Therapy Against Common Biofilm-forming Pathogens in Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery

Abstract

Background

Formation of biofilms by bacteria is a major challenge in a clinical setting. The importance of these biofilms increases in specialties where foreign bodies and prosthetic material are used. Orthopaedics is such a speciality and phage therapy could offer additional therapeutic options when dealing with biofilm infections.

Material and Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review using the PubMed database. We searched for phage activity against biofilms of the most common pathogens found in orthopaedics.

Results

The results of the systematic review were broken down into different categories and discussed accordingly. We concentrated on the time the biofilms were allowed to mature, and the surface they were grown on. In addition, we checked the efficacy of bacteriophages compared to antibiotics and when applied simultaneously with antibiotics. We also investigated the source of the phages, how they were tested for sensibility against the biofilms, as well the conditions (pH, temperature) under which they remained active and stable.

Conclusion

The data suggests that the in vitro efficacy of phages does not change under a wide spectrum of temperature and pH. To further explore the use of bacteriophages in orthopaedics, we need further studies that test biofilms which matured for several weeks on surfaces that are common in arthroplasty and traumatology.

Keywords

phage therapy - biofilm - periprosthetic joint infection - in vitro - bacteria

Publication History

Received: 28 June 2024

Accepted: 06 October 2024

Article published online:
20 January 2025

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