Antibacterial bioactive glass for bone reconstruction: A new approach to infection treatment

Nina Lindfors, Director of Teaching and Research at Helsinki University Hospital, illuminates us about a new approach to infection treatment that concerns an antibacterial bioactive glass for bone reconstruction.

Infected bone (i.e. osteomyelitis) is one of the most challenging conditions to treat. The infection may be caused by trauma, surgical procedures, or by the spread of bacteria carried in the blood. Osteomyelitis can be caused by many pathogens, including multidrug-resistant bacteria. If treatment fails, the infection can be present for decades.

As the infected bone tissue must be removed, the situation often results in a large bone defect that must be restored. In such complex situations, bioactive glasses (BAGs) that possess antibacterial properties without antibiotics offer attractive solutions and advantages over existing technologies.