Different concentrations of vancomycin with gentamicin loaded PMMA to inhibit biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus and their implications
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Published on: December 27, 2016
Marco Antonio Pedroni1, Victoria Stadler Tasca Ribeiro1, Juliette Cieslinski1
1Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, 80215-901, Brazil.
Background:
This study aimed to evaluate different concentrations of vancomycin and/or gentamicin loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) against biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus.
Methods:
Biofilm production of S. aureus in PMMA loaded with different concentrations of vancomycin and gentamicin were evaluated by quantitative analysis of biofilm cells, scanning electronic microscopy, viability assay, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and checkerboard. Statistical analysis was performed by Mann Whitney test. The difference in colony forming units per mL was significant when p < 0.05.
Results:
All loaded PMMA presented a reduction in the number of colony forming units per mL (p < 0.05). The gentamicin-loaded PMMA could inhibits the grown of sessile cells (p < 0.05), where the group vancomycin 4 g + gentamicin 500 mg presented a better result. The Fourier transform infrared spectra showed no significant differences, and checkerboard of vancomycin and gentamicin showed synergism.
Conclusion:
Effects against adherence and bacterial development in PMMA loaded with antibiotics were mainly seen in the group vancomycin 4 g + gentamicin 500 mg, and synergic effect can be applied in antibiotic-loaded cement.
Insights
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) loaded with vancomycin and gentamicin effectively reduced Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation. The combination of vancomycin 4g and gentamicin 500mg showed the most significant inhibitory effect against bacterial growth.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is widely used in orthopedic surgery.
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen causing implant-associated infections.
- Antibiotic-loaded PMMA is employed to prevent and treat such infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of vancomycin and gentamicin loaded PMMA against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation.
- To determine the optimal concentrations of vancomycin and gentamicin for inhibiting bacterial growth in PMMA.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of biofilm cells (colony forming units per mL).
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for biofilm visualization.
- Viability assays, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and checkerboard assays.
- Statistical analysis using Mann Whitney test (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- All tested concentrations of vancomycin and gentamicin loaded PMMA significantly reduced bacterial colony forming units (p < 0.05).
- Gentamicin-loaded PMMA demonstrated significant inhibition of sessile cell growth.
- The combination of vancomycin 4g + gentamicin 500mg yielded the best results in reducing bacterial load.
- Checkerboard analysis indicated a synergistic effect between vancomycin and gentamicin.
Conclusions:
- PMMA loaded with vancomycin and gentamicin, particularly at concentrations of 4g and 500mg respectively, effectively inhibits Staphylococcus aureus adherence and development.
- A synergistic effect between vancomycin and gentamicin can be leveraged in antibiotic-loaded cement formulations.
- This approach holds promise for preventing and treating implant-associated S. aureus infections.

