Hesham Abdelbary

One of Dr. Hesham Abdelbary's toughest tasks as an orthopaedic surgeon with a focus on difficult patients is removing sticky layers of bacteria that have accumulated on prosthetic joints. Sadly, periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) following joint replacement are relatively unusual. Infections hurt and are challenging to totally eradicate. The group is looking at a treatment that employs bacteriophages, viruses that feed on bacteria. The scientists had previously discovered that using phages and antibiotics to combat these germs in vitro was quite efficient. As of right now, they are collaborating with other labs to create prediction models that will choose the best combination of phages to target the bacteria infecting a person. Also, they are collaborating with chemical engineers to cover the hip implants used in animal models with this phage/antibiotic therapy.

Qualification

• MD FRCSC