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Updated: Aug 5, 2025
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro
Published on: April 21, 2023
Is nanomaterial- and vancomycin-loaded polymer coating effective at preventing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
Konstantinos Tsikopoulos1, Gabriele Meroni2, Panagiotis Kaloudis3
11st Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Thessaloniki, Greece, 54124. kostastsikop@gmail.com.
Purpose:
Periprosthetic joint infections induced by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a major socioeconomic burden. Given the fact that MRSA carriers are at high risk for developing periprosthetic infections regardless of the administration of eradication treatment pre-operatively, the need for developing new prevention modalities is high.
Methods:
The antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of vancomycin, Al2O3 nanowires, and TiO2 nanoparticles were evaluated in vitro using MIC and MBIC assays. MRSA biofilms were grown on titanium disks simulating orthopedic implants, and the infection prevention potential of vancomycin-, Al2O3 nanowire-, and TiO2 nanoparticle-supplemented Resomer® coating was evaluated against biofilm controls using the XTT reduction proliferation assay.
Results:
Among the tested modalities, high- and low-dose vancomycin-loaded Resomer® coating yielded the most satisfactory metalwork protection against MRSA (median absorbance was 0.1705; [IQR = 0.1745] vs control absorbance 0.42 [IQR = 0.07]; p = 0.016; biofilm reduction was 100%; and 0.209 [IQR = 0.1295] vs control 0.42 [IQR = 0.07]; p < 0.001; biofilm reduction was 84%, respectively). On the other hand, polymer coating alone did not provide clinically meaningful biofilm growth prevention (median absorbance was 0.2585 [IQR = 0.1235] vs control 0.395 [IQR = 0.218]; p < 0.001; biofilm reduction was 62%).
Conclusions:
We advocate that apart from the well-established preventative measures for MRSA carriers, loading implants with bioresorbable Resomer® vancomycin-supplemented coating may decrease the incidence of early post-op surgical site infections with titanium implants. Of note, the payoff between localized toxicity and antibiofilm efficacy should be considered when loading polymers with highly concentrated antimicrobial agents.
Insights
Vancomycin-loaded Resomer® coating effectively prevents methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilm formation on orthopedic implants. This novel approach may reduce early post-operative infections in patients receiving titanium implants.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Periprosthetic joint infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represent a significant socioeconomic challenge.
- MRSA carriers face elevated risks of periprosthetic infections, underscoring the need for advanced preventative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of vancomycin, Al2O3 nanowires, and TiO2 nanoparticles in preventing MRSA biofilm formation on orthopedic implant materials.
- To assess the potential of Resomer® coating supplemented with these agents for infection prevention.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assessment of antibacterial and antibiofilm properties using MIC and MBIC assays.
- Culturing MRSA biofilms on titanium disks to simulate orthopedic implants.
- Evaluating Resomer® coating with vancomycin, Al2O3 nanowires, or TiO2 nanoparticles against MRSA biofilms using the XTT reduction assay.
Main Results:
- Vancomycin-loaded Resomer® coating demonstrated significant MRSA protection, achieving 100% and 84% biofilm reduction at high and low doses, respectively.
- Polymer coating alone provided only 62% biofilm reduction, indicating limited clinical efficacy.
- High-dose vancomycin coating showed superior protection compared to controls (median absorbance 0.1705 vs. 0.42, p=0.016).
Conclusions:
- Vancomycin-loaded Resomer® coating is a promising strategy to mitigate early post-operative infections associated with titanium implants.
- This method could be particularly beneficial for MRSA carriers undergoing orthopedic surgery.
- Balancing localized toxicity and antibiofilm efficacy is crucial when concentrating antimicrobial agents in polymer coatings.
