Noam Shohat, MD

Since Nobel Laureates J. Robin Warren, AC, and Barry J. Marshall, AC, FRACP, FRS, FAA, DSc, implicated Helicobacter pylori as a causative agent in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease, infection has been proposed as the root cause of multiple disease processes. In recent years, the collection of all the microorganisms living in association with the human body, otherwise known as the microbiome, has gained much attention. Attention to this topic peaked when the White House announced the $121-million National Microbiome Initiative.

As Desiderius Erasmus stated in the 15th century, prevention is better than cure. As the orthopedic community braces itself to deal with the increased burden of infection, prevention of surgical site infection and periprosthetic joint infection has moved into center stage.