“You rarely see implant infections in the headlines, despite the cost to the healthcare system and the devastating effects they can have on patients. I hope our research can improve care for this complex problem,"- Dr. Hesham AbdelbaryAs an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in complex cases, removing slimy layers of bacteria growing on prosthetic joints is one of Dr. Hesham Abdelbary’s toughest challenges. Unfortunately, these periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) are not uncommon after joint replacement. The infections are painful and hard to get rid of completely.
To learn more about PJI and to test new therapies, Dr. Abdelbary’s multidisciplinary team developed the first animal models that mimic a human hip replacement and implant infection.
One therapy the team is looking at uses viruses that prey on bacteria, called bacteriophages. The team previously found that phages combined with antibiotics were very effective in vitro at attacking these bacteria. They’re now working with other labs to develop predictive models that will select the right mix of phages to target the bacteria causing an infection. They’re also working with chemical engineers on coating the animal model hip implants with this phage/antibiotic therapy.
Dr. Abdelbary is also working with Dr. Daniel Coutu to understand whether implant infections affect the ability of bone stem cells to heal damaged bone, and whether phages can help.
Dr. Abdelbary was recently appointed as an associate scientist in the Chronic Disease Program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. He is an orthopedic surgeon at The Ottawa Hospital and associate professor at the University of Ottawa.
“You rarely see implant infections in the headlines, despite the cost to the healthcare system and the devastating effects they can have on patients. I hope our research can improve care for this complex problem,” said Dr. Abdelbary.
The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
