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Activation of antibacterial silver coatings on surgical implants by direct current: preliminary studies in rabbits
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus contamination on intramedullary silver pins in the femurs of rabbits was decreased 69% by the application of 9 muA for 1 hour of positive direct current/cm2 (9muAH+DC/cm2). Injection of a solution of silver chloride or silver nitrate into the bone marrow before insertion of the contaminated pins and subsequent application of 12 muAH+DC/cm2 to the stainless steel pins reduced the colony counts 25% and 64%, respectively, and indicated a need for the Ag+ and Cl- ionic state on the pins' surfaces. Stainless steel pins electroplated with silver and charged with 12 muAH+DC/cm2 decreased the bacterial counts by 85%. A 91% inhibition with stainless steel pins electroplated with silver and chlorided indicated that bacteriostasis was possible due to the Ag+/AgCl/Cl- surface effect. Total bacterial inhibition was achieved by 12 muAH+DC/cm2 on stainless steel pins coated with 100 monomolecular layers of silver stearate. The electrical activation of this coating eliminated up to approximately 3,000 S aureau contaminating the intramedullary pins.
Insights
Direct current stimulation of silver-coated pins significantly reduced Staphylococcus aureus contamination in rabbit femurs. This electrical activation of silver surfaces offers a promising antimicrobial strategy for orthopedic implants.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Disease Research
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Intramedullary pins are susceptible to bacterial contamination, particularly Staphylococcus aureus.
- Developing effective antimicrobial strategies for orthopedic implants is crucial to prevent infections.
- Silver and its ionic forms have known antimicrobial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of direct current (DC) stimulation on silver-coated intramedullary pins.
- To assess the reduction of Staphylococcus aureus contamination on pins using various silver application methods.
- To investigate the role of silver ions and surface effects in bacterial inhibition.
Main Methods:
- Application of positive direct current (9 muAH+DC/cm2) to silver-coated intramedullary pins in rabbit femurs.
- Injection of silver chloride or silver nitrate solutions into bone marrow before pin insertion.
- Electroplating stainless steel pins with silver and applying DC stimulation.
- Coating stainless steel pins with silver stearate and electrical activation.
Main Results:
- A 69% reduction in Staphylococcus aureus was observed with 9 muAH+DC/cm2 on silver pins.
- Silver electroplated pins with DC stimulation showed an 85% decrease in bacterial counts.
- Silver and chlorided electroplated pins achieved 91% inhibition, suggesting an Ag+/AgCl/Cl- surface effect.
- Complete bacterial inhibition was achieved on silver stearate-coated pins activated by DC.
Conclusions:
- Electrical activation of silver-coated intramedullary pins is a highly effective method for reducing Staphylococcus aureus contamination.
- The Ag+/AgCl/Cl- surface effect plays a significant role in bacteriostasis.
- This technique presents a promising antimicrobial approach for orthopedic implants, potentially reducing implant-associated infections.
