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A New Antifungal-Loaded Sol-Gel Can Prevent Candida albicans Prosthetic Joint Infection

Hugo Garlito-Díaz1,2, Jaime Esteban3, Aranzazu Mediero4

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Infanta Elena University Hospital, 28342 Valdemoro, Spain.

Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

An innovative anidulafungin-loaded sol-gel coating effectively prevents fungal prosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by Candida albicans. This new technology demonstrates a significant reduction in infection rates in an in vivo murine model.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

  • Fungal prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication of arthroplasty, often caused by Candida albicans.
  • High morbidity and mortality associated with fungal PJI necessitate novel treatment strategies.
  • Current treatments for fungal PJI are limited, highlighting the need for innovative approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of an anidulafungin-loaded organic-inorganic sol-gel coating in preventing Candida albicans-induced PJI.
  • To assess the impact of the novel coating on infection prevention and bone health in an in vivo murine model.
  • To determine the safety and efficacy of this new biomaterial for combating fungal PJI.

Main Methods:

  • An in vivo murine model was utilized to evaluate the anidulafungin-loaded sol-gel coated implants (CP + A) against non-coated implants (CP).
  • Mice were challenged with Candida albicans, and infection was assessed through microbial cultures and pathological analysis.
  • Bone mineral content, bone mineral density, and histological examinations were performed to evaluate implant compatibility and tissue response.

Main Results:

  • The anidulafungin-loaded sol-gel coating significantly reduced positive microbial cultures (100% negative) compared to non-coated implants (50% positive) (p=0.023).
  • PJI incidence was substantially lower in the coated implant group (9.1%) versus the non-coated group (54.5%) (p=0.011).
  • No significant differences were observed in bone mineral content, density, or histological parameters between coated and non-coated implants, indicating good biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

  • The anidulafungin-loaded organic-inorganic sol-gel coating demonstrates excellent in vivo antifungal activity against Candida albicans.
  • This novel coating effectively prevents fungal prosthetic joint infection in an experimental murine model.
  • The findings suggest that this sol-gel technology holds promise as a new therapeutic strategy for managing and preventing fungal PJI.
Keywords:
Candida albicansanidulafunginprosthetic joint infectionsol-gel

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