Preventing Device Infections With Biomaterial Scaffold Vaccines
Biomaterial vaccines using pathogen-specific antigens could significantly lower patients’ risk of infection from implanted medical devices.
Patients with implanted medical devices, such as orthopedic joint replacements, pacemakers, and artificial heart valves, run a small but significant risk of device infection with bacterial pathogens.
This can lead to a burdensome path requiring “redo” (revision) surgeries, prolonged antibiotic treatments, or in severe cases, amputation, and can even be fatal if the infections spread.
Author summary: Biomaterial vaccines may reduce infection risk.