Cell Immunity in Implant-Associated Infections Caused by Biofilm-Forming Microorganisms

High biofilm-forming capacity of Staphylococcus spp. strains isolated from biomaterial of patients with infectious complications after primary knee replacement developed within 6-12 months after surgery was experimentally demonstrated. Differential leukocyte counts and some indicators of cell immunity in these patients were compared with those in patients without purulent complications and healthy volunteers. In patients with implant-associated infection, the relative numbers of T cells (both T-helpers and T-suppressors) B cells were significantly (p<0.05) reduced, while the number of NK cells was significantly increased in comparison with the corresponding parameters in other groups. The revealed changes attest to cell immunity failure in biofilm infection.