A surgical implant has been developed by researchers at Washington State University (WSU), Pullman, Washington, that is able to kill 87% of staph infections bacteria in laboratory tests, while remaining strong and compatible with surrounding tissue.
The research, reported in the International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, could lead to better infection control in common surgeries, such as hip and knee replacements. Bacterial colonization of the implants is one of the leading causes of their failure after surgery.