Contact
PD Dr. med. Yvonne Achermann
Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology
University Hospital Zurich
Rämistrasse 100
CH-8091 Zürich
The use of orthopedic implants has been increasing steadily in the last 50 years, but despite considerable technological advances including perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis, implant-associated infections remain a serious complication. These infections are caused by bacteria in the biofilm on the implant surfaces.
Implant-associated infections such as periprosthetic joint infections or spinal implant-associated infections are a feared complication after orthopedic surgery. These infections are usually difficult to treat, because microorganisms persist in biofilms on the orthopedic implant surface. Therefore, it would be desirable to prevent these infections.
An improved prevention or – treatment an early diagnosis, is the main objective of this research area to reduce morbidity in implant-associated infections.
Time | Subject | Grants | Involved research people |
04/2019 (ongoing) | Effects of photodynamic therapy on the human inguinal skin microbiome to improve antiseptic effect. | Vontobel foundation Galderma | Isabelle Waldmann Julia Prinz |
08/2018 (ongoing) | Role of rifampin in Cutibacterium sp. periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) – a multi-center study supported by the ESCMID. | supported by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases | Kusejko Katharina Jaime Esteban |
10/2018 (ongoing) | Skin antisepsis to reduce Cutibacterium avidum colonization as a risk factor for periprosthetic joint infections. | Swiss Life Jubiläumsstiftung | Steven Maurer |
09/2017 | Prospective observational cohort study on periprosthetic joint infections at the Balgrist University Clinic | Balgrist Foundation | Octavian Andronic Cornelia Issler Fabienne Walser |
03/2020 | Clostridium difficile at the USZ: a quality control study | Pending | Tina Badinksi |
Our team is involved in several national and international research projects about prevention, diagnostic and treatment of orthopedic infections not listed above. Yvonne Achermann is a board member of the European study group of the implant-associated infections (ESGIAI), member of the “Expertengruppe Infektionen der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Traumatologie”, and Swiss Country Delegate of the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS).
PD Dr. med. Yvonne Achermann
Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology
University Hospital Zurich
Rämistrasse 100
CH-8091 Zürich