Description
In this informative presentation, infectious disease physician Dr. Nikhil Premchand discusses the complexities of bacterial infections and treatment, particularly focusing on bone and joint infections. He outlines that humans are naturally covered in various bacteria, accounting for up to 3% of body weight, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining skin integrity to prevent infection. Nikhil explains the challenge of treating infections due to the protective biofilms that bacteria can form, which impede the effectiveness of antibiotics by sheltering the bacteria from both the immune system and medication.
He delves into how infections can be introduced through skin breaches or through the bloodstream, sometimes from commonplace activities like dental hygiene, when bacteria can enter the bloodstream without harm as long as the immune system is intact. Nikhil details the need for surgical intervention alongside antibiotic treatment to effectively manage infections and highlights that early treatment is crucial because it allows for better chances of success before biofilms become established.
The presentation introduces the potential side effects of antibiotics, like nausea and unusual color changes in bodily secretions due to specific antibiotics, and discusses how some patients may require long-term suppressive therapy due to persistent infections. Moreover, he touches upon the exploration of alternatives like bacteriophage therapy, while acknowledging the current limited evidence supporting this treatment option.
Nikhil concludes with a brief overview of sepsis—a serious complication resulting from infections—educating the audience on symptoms to watch for and emphasizing the rarity of sepsis in the context of prosthetic joint infections. The presentation overall aims to raise awareness about the challenges of diagnosing and treating infections while providing a comprehensive perspective on current treatment strategies.