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Updated: May 9, 2026

PRP as a New Approach to Prevent Infection: Preparation and In vitro Antimicrobial Properties of PRP
Published on: April 9, 2013
Prevention of pacemaker infections with perioperative antimicrobial treatment: an in vitro study
Georg Marsch1, Bakr Mashaqi, Karin Burgwitz
1Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Street 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany.
Aims:
The antimicrobial treatment of pacemaker casings with antiseptics (povidone-iodine or octenidine dihydrochloride) or antibiotics (vancomycin, daptomycin, cefuroxime, Tazobac, or nebacetin) was analysed in vitro for its biocompatibility and efficacy in preventing the bacterial adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli to cardiac-implantable electrophysiological devices (CIEDs).
Methods And Results:
Titan platelets (0.4 cm²) cut from pacemaker casings were impregnated with seven different antimicrobial solutions: two antiseptics and five antibiotics. Subsequently, they were challenged with bacterial contamination by four test strains over a 24 h incubation period. Bacterial adherence was quantified using the colony-forming-unit method after cell recovery with sonication and examined with confocal laser scanning electron microscopy. Simultaneously, the biocompatibility of the antimicrobial impregnation was assessed using pre-treated titan platelets in a culture of human fibroblasts, skeletal myoblasts, and microvascular endothelial cells. After a 48 h incubation, cell vitality was measured using the 2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H/tetrazolium monosodium (WST-8) assay. The immersion of pacemaker casings in antiseptic or antibiotic solutions applies an antimicrobial coating that can significantly reduce bacterial adhesion. The studied impregnations differed in their antimicrobial efficacy and toxicity.
Conclusion:
Compared with the two antiseptics and the other tested antibiotics, nebacetin showed the best ratio of efficacy to toxicity. Nebacetin showed good in vitro antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens without impairing human cell vitality. It is a safe and effective candidate for CIED impregnation.
Insights
Nebacetin effectively prevents bacterial adhesion to pacemaker casings without harming human cells. This antibiotic offers a safe and efficient option for coating cardiac-implantable electrophysiological devices (CIEDs).
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Disease Research
- Medical Device Engineering
Background:
- Pacemaker casings are susceptible to bacterial adhesion, increasing the risk of device-related infections.
- Antimicrobial coatings on cardiac-implantable electrophysiological devices (CIEDs) are crucial for preventing infections.
- Evaluating the biocompatibility and efficacy of various antimicrobial agents is essential for CIED development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the in vitro biocompatibility and efficacy of antiseptic and antibiotic treatments for pacemaker casings.
- To assess the prevention of bacterial adhesion of common pathogens to CIEDs.
- To identify optimal antimicrobial agents for CIED impregnation.
Main Methods:
- Pacemaker casing material (titanium platelets) was impregnated with antiseptics (povidone-iodine, octenidine dihydrochloride) or antibiotics (vancomycin, daptomycin, cefuroxime, Tazobac, nebacetin).
- Impregnated materials were challenged with Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli over 24 hours.
- Bacterial adherence was quantified using colony-forming units and confocal laser scanning electron microscopy; biocompatibility was assessed via human cell cultures (fibroblasts, myoblasts, endothelial cells) using WST-8 assay.
Main Results:
- Antimicrobial coatings significantly reduced bacterial adhesion to pacemaker casings.
- Different antimicrobial impregnations exhibited varying levels of efficacy and toxicity.
- Nebacetin demonstrated potent in vitro antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Nebacetin exhibited the most favorable efficacy-to-toxicity ratio among the tested agents.
- Nebacetin effectively inhibited bacterial adhesion without compromising human cell viability.
- Nebacetin is a promising, safe, and effective candidate for impregnating CIEDs.
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