Isolation and Antibiofilm Activity of Bacteriophages against from Patients with Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

BACKGROUND

Infections following shoulder surgery, particularly periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), are challenging to treat. is the causative pathogen in 39% to 76% of these cases. This study explores the efficacy of bacteriophage therapy as an alternative to conventional antibiotics for treating such infections.

METHODS

Nine phages with lytic activity were isolated from the skin of humans using ATCC 6919 as the indicator host. These phages were tested individually or in combination to assess host range and antibiofilm activity against clinical strains of associated with PJIs. The phage cocktail was optimized for broad-spectrum activity and tested in vitro against biofilms formed on titanium discs to mimic the prosthetic environment.

RESULTS

The isolated phages displayed lytic activity against a range of clinical isolates. The phage cocktail significantly reduced the bacterial load of strains 183, 184, and GG2A, as compared with untreated controls ( < 0.05). Individual phages, particularly CaJIE7 and CaJIE3, also demonstrated significant reductions in bacterial load with respect to specific strains. Moreover, phages notably disrupted the biofilm structure and reduced biofilm biomass, confirming the potential of phage therapy in targeting biofilm-associated infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preclinical findings support the potential of phage therapy as a viable adjunct to traditional antibiotics for treating infections in orthopedic device-related infections. The ability of phages to disrupt biofilms may be particularly beneficial for managing infections associated with prosthetic implants.