Evolving strategies to prevent implant-associated infections.

The consequences of implantassociated infection are significant and usually require revision surgery, with removal of the implant and prolonged antibiotic treatment. Various approaches to reduce the rate of infection have been investigated. Two recent strategies are (1) coating implants with antibiotics and (2) covalently attaching antimicrobial molecules onto the implant surface. The purpose of these bioactive surfaces is to disrupt the metabolic machinery of the microbes or to prevent bacterial adhesion to the implant and, consequently, the development of biofilm.