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Antifungal properties of silver coating on tumour endoprostheses: an in vitro study

S D'Adamio1, A Ziranu, G Cazzato

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. ste.dadamio@gmail.com.

European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|April 13, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Silver coating on titanium implants effectively prevents fungal biofilm development in vitro. This offers a promising antifungal strategy for musculoskeletal oncological reconstruction patients at high risk of infection.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Musculoskeletal oncological reconstruction often involves titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) megaprostheses.
  • Patients undergoing oncological treatment are frequently immunocompromised, increasing infection risk.
  • Fungal infections, particularly Candida species, pose a significant threat to implant survival and patient health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro antifungal efficacy of silver coating on titanium surfaces.
  • To quantify the impact of silver coating on preventing fungal biofilm formation.
  • To assess the potential of silver-coated implants as an antiseptic measure in oncological surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Standardized in vitro culture of Candida strains (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis) on silver-coated and non-coated titanium samples.
  • Spectrophotometrical analysis and viability assays after 5 days of incubation.
  • Quantification of fungal biofilm extension and pathogen viability.

Main Results:

  • Significant reduction in fungal biofilm extension on silver-coated titanium compared to non-coated controls (p<0.05).
  • Substantially lower Candida viability was observed on silver-coated surfaces across all assays.
  • Silver coating demonstrated a clear inhibitory effect on fungal development in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • Silver coating is an effective strategy for preventing fungal biofilm development on titanium implants.
  • Silver-coated implants represent a potentially valuable option for reducing fungal complications in immunocompromised cancer patients.
  • Further in vivo studies are warranted to confirm the antifungal potential of silver-coated implants in clinical settings.

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