Ondine Biomedical Inc (AIM:OBI) said a new research paper has highlighted how photodisinfection can eradicate biofilm bacteria associated with hip or knee replacements (periprosthetic joint infections or PJIs).
A study published in the journal Antibiotics made the conclusion from a study of antimicrobial photodisinfection therapy (aPDT) using Ondine Biomedical's photosensitizer in combination with a specific wavelength of light.
Treating periprosthetic joint infections in the US alone costs US$1.62bn, with costs projected to rise to US$1.85bn by 2030 just for hip and knee replacements.
Ondine added the study, which was carried out by the University Hospital Zurich, indicates that photodisinfection can be an effective treatment method for PJIs, replacing current, more invasive approaches and potentially shortening antibiotic treatment.
Dr Yvonne Achermann, lead author and senior physician for internal medicine and infectious diseases at Zollikerberg Hospital, added: "This is the first study to show that photodisinfection, also known as photodynamic therapy (PDT), could be an effective novel treatment for periprosthetic joint infections.
“This is particularly exciting as it provides a much-needed alternative to antibiotics as resistance in biofilm-forming bacteria continues to grow.”