Antibiogram and Biofilm Formation of Bacteria Causing Prosthetic Joint Infections Isolated From Assiut University Hospital

Increased use of total joint arthroplasties will naturally result in a related increase in the number of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs).

PJI is a disastrous complication of orthopedic surgery, frequently leading to prolonged morbidity and increased mortality. Moreover, therapy for PJI is associated with enormous costs.

PJI results from numerous factors that lead to inability of periprosthetic immune cells to protect implant surfaces and tissues from bacterial colonization.

The most destabilizing factor is the ability of bacteria to adhere to and survive on virtually all natural and synthetic surfaces.

Once firmly attached to the surface of an implant, the microorganisms initiate "biofilm" formation, which is a complex of microbial cells embedded in an extracellular matrix composed of proteins, extracellular DNA, and exopolysaccharides, providing protection for bacteria and making them extremely resistant to the immune system and antibiotic.