Bacteriophage therapy is a treatment that uses specific viruses (called bacteriophages) to target and destroy harmful bacteria. In this trial, the bacteriophages are specifically designed to attack Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that cause infections in hip or knee joint replacements.

DAIR (Debridement, Antibiotics, Implant retention) is a surgical procedure combined with antibiotic treatment. This approach involves cleaning the infected area around the artificial joint while keeping the prosthesis in place, followed by targeted antibiotic treatment.

The trial combines these two treatments (bacteriophage therapy and DAIR) to evaluate if this combination is more effective than DAIR alone in treating prosthetic joint infections.

Prosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) caused by Staphylococcus aureus – A bacterial infection that occurs around artificial hip or knee joints after joint replacement surgery. The infection develops when Staphylococcus aureus bacteria colonize the area around the prosthetic joint, causing inflammation and damage to surrounding tissues. The condition typically causes pain, swelling, warmth around the joint, and reduced mobility of the affected limb. The infection can develop shortly after surgery or even years later, with symptoms sometimes developing gradually over time. The bacteria can form biofilms on the prosthetic surface, making the infection particularly challenging to address.