• Research blog
Wednesday, 01. April 2026

Microbial Contamination–Mediated Inflammation Is a Major Contributor of Breast Implant Complications: Prospective Analysis of 631 Samples

Recent Publication


 

A recent study from University Hospital St. Pölten shows that bacterial contamination plays an important role in breast implant complications. Germs were detected in almost every fifth sample analysed and around half showed signs of inflammation. It is particularly problematic that such inflammations often go unnoticed, but significantly increase the risk of complications such as implant ruptures. It was also found that implants that remain in the body for a longer period of time are more likely to show inflammatory changes.

Kerschbaumer, C., Bergmeister, K. D., Bartellas, G., Weber, M., Ströbele, B., Kitzwögerer, M., Schrögendorfer, K. F., & Flores, T. (2026). Microbial Contamination–Mediated Inflammation Is a Major Contributor of Breast Implant Complications: Prospective Analysis of 631 Samples. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 15(6), 2115. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15062115

OA PD Dr. Konstantin Bergmeister PhD FEBHS

Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery (University Hospital St. Pölten)

Prim. Clin. Ass. Prof. Dr. Barbara Ströbele

Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology (University Hospital St. Pölten)

Prim. Clin. Ass. Prof. Dr. Melitta Kitzwögerer

Institute of Clinical Pathology and Molecular Pathology of the Lower Austria Central Region (University Hospital St. Pölten)

Prim. Clin. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Klaus Schrögendorfer MBA FEBOPRAS

Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery (University Hospital St. Pölten)