Alternating magnetic field and induction heating as antibacterial therapy in implant-associated infections

The treatment of mature biofilm in implant-associated infections (IAI) has become increasingly challenging, mainly due to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While many antibacterial biomaterials harness their functionality through their surface properties, alternating magnetic field (AMF)-induced hyperthermia offers an approach from a fundamentally different angle.

To summarize and compare the practice of assessing AMF-induced hyperthermia in vitro and in vivo as treatment for implant-associated infections and the efficacy of this therapy, a literature search was conducted and 18 articles were selected based on relevance.

The studies have demonstrated that AMF-induced hyperthermia can effectively eliminate biofilms as a standalone treatment or in combination with antimicrobials. Although thermal tissue damage is an inherent concern, it can be controlled and reduced by implementing short intermittent heating patterns around 65-75ºC while still preserving antibacterial efficacy. However, clear guidelines for evaluating safety, particularly regarding thermal injury, are still lacking and should be a key focus of future work.