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Comparative In Vitro Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Evaluation on 3D-Printed Polylactic Acid and Polyethylene
Felipe Francisco Tuon1, Paula Hansen Suss2, Leticia Ramos Dantas2
1Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná; felipe.tuon@pucpr.br.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|April 20, 2026
Summary
Biofilm formation on 3D-printed medical materials like polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) is a significant concern. This study developed a framework to compare biofilm development and antimicrobial tolerance on these common polymers.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microbiology
- Medical Device Engineering
Background:
- Three-dimensional (3D) printing enables customized medical devices, but biofilm formation on these materials poses risks to implant safety and performance.
- Material properties and surface characteristics of 3D-printed polymers influence bacterial adhesion and antibiotic resistance, necessitating standardized evaluation methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare biofilm development and antimicrobial tolerance on polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) using a multi-model in vitro framework.
- To assess the impact of static versus flow conditions on biofilm formation and antimicrobial efficacy.
Main Methods:
- A multi-model in vitro evaluation framework was employed to assess biofilm development on PLA and PETG.
- Staphylococcus aureus biofilms were quantified using viable bacterial load (CFU) and minimal biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) assays.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for qualitative assessment of biofilm structure.
- Both static and dynamic flow conditions were utilized.
Main Results:
- Both PLA and PETG supported biofilm formation, with PLA exhibiting higher early adhesion and biofilm density.
- Static assays showed higher CFU counts on PLA compared to PETG, while vancomycin MBEC values were similar.
- Assay design influenced observed antimicrobial susceptibility, highlighting the importance of model selection.
- Dynamic flow conditions led to increased biofilm burden compared to static conditions, with minor material-specific differences.
Conclusions:
- Both PLA and PETG are susceptible to biofilm formation, posing challenges for 3D-printed medical devices.
- A multi-model in vitro framework is valuable for comprehensively evaluating material-associated biofilms and antimicrobial performance.
- Standardized testing is crucial for comparing biofilm behavior and benchmarking antimicrobial efficacy on 3D-printed materials.
