Phage therapy in revision arthroplasty: State of the art and application protocols
This study highlights the potential of phage therapy for PJI, emphasising its high specificity, ability to target antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and capacity to disrupt biofilms, and provides a guideline for its clinical administration. Clinical adoption, however, remains limited by regulatory barriers, lack of standardised protocols, and insufficient trial data. Key steps for implementation include establishing regulatory frameworks, developing academic-industrial partnerships and reference centres, and identifying indications supported by controlled trials. With these in place, phage therapy could become a promising adjunct in managing periprosthetic joint infections. Video Abstract.
Authors
- Ulf Krister Hofmann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0589-6654)
- Hanno Schenker
- Julius Michael Wolfgart
- Joerg Eschweiler
- Hans-Peter Horz
- Matthias Gatz
- Thomas Schwanz
- Steffen Langwald
- Albrecht Eisert
- Filippo Migliorini
Institutions
- Ospedale di Bolzano (IT)
- University Hospital in Halle (DE)
- BG Klinikum Bergmannstrost Halle (DE)
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (DE)
- RWTH Aachen University (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Arthroplasty
- Published
- 2026-01-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s42836-025-00355-6
- Primary Topic
- Orthopedic Infections and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00