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Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Preparation and High-temperature Anti-adhesion Behavior of a Slippery Surface on Stainless Steel
Published on: March 29, 2018
Initial adhesion of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains to untreated and
Annemarie Langsteiner1, Igor Loncaric2, Anna-Maria Henkel-Odwody1
1Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Equine University Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
Electropolishing of stainless steel has been thoroughly investigated as a prophylactic measure to prevent bacterial colonization of orthopaedic implants and infection. Initial bacterial adhesion onto surgical drill bits as a possible factor for orthopaedic surgical site infections has not yet been documented. The present study investigated the influence of electropolishing on initial staphylococcal adhesion onto AISI 440A stainless steel drill bits. Specifically, one methicillin-susceptible standard laboratory Staphylococcus aureus type strain (DSM 20231T), one methicillin-resistant S. aureus reference strain (DSM 46320) and one methicillin-resistant clinical isolate from an infected orthopaedic implant were used. After standard sterilization, drill bits were immersed in the respective bacterial suspension; bacteria adherent to surface were harvested by vortexing the drill bits in phosphate-buffered saline and viable counts of bacteria transferred from the suspension were made (transferred to log10 for further analysis). Electropolishing significantly reduced adhesion of the clinical S. aureus strain and the S. aureus DSM 20231T. However, electropolishing significantly increased adhesion of the S. aureus DSM 46320. These results show that electropolishing significantly influences initial adhesion of S. aureus strains to surgical drill bits and that the nature of this influence depends on the S. aureus strain examined. For a general recommendation of electropolishing drill bits and guidelines for their handling during surgery, further studies with more strains isolated from infected wounds are suggested.
Insights
Electropolishing stainless steel drill bits affects initial bacterial adhesion differently depending on the Staphylococcus aureus strain. This finding impacts strategies for preventing surgical site infections with coated implants.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Disease Research
- Orthopaedic Surgery
Background:
- Electropolishing is studied for preventing bacterial colonization on orthopaedic implants.
- The role of bacterial adhesion on surgical drill bits in orthopaedic infections is not well-documented.
- Investigating surface treatments for surgical tools is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of electropolishing on initial Staphylococcus aureus adhesion to AISI 440A stainless steel drill bits.
- To compare the influence of electropolishing on different strains of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant types.
Main Methods:
- Surgical drill bits made of AISI 440A stainless steel were electropolished.
- Drill bits were exposed to three different Staphylococcus aureus strains: one type strain (DSM 20231T) and two methicillin-resistant strains (DSM 46320 and a clinical isolate).
- Adherent bacteria were quantified after vortexing in phosphate-buffered saline and performing viable counts.
Main Results:
- Electropolishing significantly reduced Staphylococcus aureus adhesion for the clinical isolate and the DSM 20231T strain.
- Conversely, electropolishing significantly increased adhesion for the DSM 46320 strain.
- These varied responses indicate strain-dependent effects of electropolishing on bacterial adhesion.
Conclusions:
- Electropolishing has a significant, strain-dependent influence on initial Staphylococcus aureus adhesion to stainless steel surgical drill bits.
- The findings suggest that a blanket recommendation for electropolishing drill bits may not be universally effective for preventing surgical site infections.
- Further research with a broader range of clinical isolates is recommended to establish guidelines for electropolishing surgical tools.
