Robert Whitfield MD explains that biofilm, bacterial or fungal buildup on implant surfaces, likely causes over 60% of breast implant illness cases by triggering immune activation and oxidative stress. For the remaining cases without biofilm, genetic factors affecting oxidative-stress management like superoxide dismutase and glutathione metabolism may play a role, with genetic testing potentially guiding treatment.
In my personal audit. It will vary, but I think biofilm contributes to a large majority of these cases. Well over probably 60% of my cases are attributable to biofilm. So what is biofilm? Biofilm is a bacterial or fungal contaminant on the surface of the device. What do we propose happens? We propose that inflammation caused by this biofilm activates the immune system and leads to the response that's contributable to more oxidative stress in the individual. I would say in the remaining 20, 30% that I don't find biofilm, we're looking more closely at genes that help them manage oxidative stress, like superoxide dismutase, two things that help them manage glutathione metabolism, things that help them manage methylation. They're going to come to the forefront. They're going to become more evaluated. We're going to do more genetic testing to evaluate these and help further tailor specific treatment plans for patients with BII.
