An ionic silver coating prevents implant-associated infection by anaerobic bacteria in vitro and in vivo in mice

Abstract

Currently, implants are utilized clinically for bone transplant procedures. However, if infectious osteomyelitis occurs at implant sites, removal of bacteria can be challenging. Moreover, altered blood flow at peri-implant infectious sites can create an anaerobic environment, making it more difficult to treat infection with antibiotics. Thus, it would be beneficial if implants could be modified to exhibit antibacterial activity, even in anaerobic conditions. Here, we show antibacterial activity of silver ions coated on titanium rods, even against the anaerobic bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), both in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, we implanted silver-coated or control uncoated titanium rods along with P. gingivalis in mouse femoral bone BM cavities and observed significantly inhibited P. gingivalis infection with silver-coated compared with non-coated rods, based on in vivo bio-imaging. Osteonecrosis by infectious osteomyelitis and elevation of the inflammatory factors C-reactive protein and IL-6 promoted by P. gingivalis s were also significantly reduced in the presence of silver-coated rods. Overall, our study indicates that silver ion coating of an implant represents a therapeutic option to prevent associated infection, even in anaerobic conditions or against anaerobic bacteria.

Multifunctional DNA‐Based Hydrogel Promotes Diabetic Alveolar Bone Defect Reconstruction

“…With great advances in nanotechnology, several nanoparticles with strong antibacterial activities against multidrug‐resistant bacteria have been synthesized, of which, silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) have garnered considerable attention. [ 18 ] Accumulating evidence suggests that diverse AgNCs‐loaded biomaterials represent satisfactory antibacterial effects against oral pathogens, [ 19,20 ] indicating the therapeutic potential of AgNCs for alveolar bone defects.…”

A review on antimicrobial strategies in mitigating biofilm-associated infections on medical implants

“… ( Villegas et al, 2022 ) Silver ions P. gingivalis Reduced osteonecrosis by infectious osteomyelitis and elevation of the inflammatory factors like C-reactive protein and IL-6. ( Soma et al, 2022 ) Cobalt-Chrome-Molybdenum (CoCrMo) Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) S. aureus, E. coli Showed osteo differentiation potential and antibacterial activity without cytotoxicity ( D'Agostino et al, 2023 ) Cobalt Hydroxyapatite S. aureus, E. coli Enhanced angiogenesis and vascularization along with antimicrobial properties ( Bhattacharjee et al, 2020 ) Stainless steel Poly (ethylene glycol)-poly(propylene sulfide) (PEG-PPS)- vancomycin and tigecycline S. aureus, Propionibacterium acnes ( P. acnes ), S. epidermidis PEG-PPS-vancomycin had lower CFUs than PEG-PPS-tigecycline. (2.4 × 10 1 , 8.5 × 10 1 CFUs, respectively) ( Hegde et al, 2020 )

Fig.

…”

Surface Modification of Titanium Implants by Metal Ions and Nanoparticles for Biomedical Application

“…The Ag-coated rods significantly inhibited P. gingivalis infection, indicating the potential of Ag surface coating application under in vivo conditions. 100 Furthermore, Ag can make antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria sensitive to antibiotic therapy during implant surface modification. 101 This is of great significance with regard to the proliferation of drug-resistant bacteria.…”

“…Micro-CT reconstruction of the femoral condyle was observed at 8 weeks on Cu-TiO 2 coating (A); fuchsin-methylene blue staining of new bone formation at 8 weeks on Ti (B) and Cu-TiO 2 (C) coating; histological evaluation of control (D) and silver ion (E) implant groups; bone regeneration capability of the AHF (F) and MOF-1 coating (G) in rabbit models of tibia defect; H&E (H) staining and OCN (I) staining of rabbit tibia to evaluate osteogenesis around implants; micro-CT reconstructions of the new bone formation around implants in the AHT (L) and MOF-1 (M) groups; micro-CT reconstruction images uncoated (J) and Sr-Zn-F-Ti (K). ,, Panels A, B, and C are reproduced using permission from ref . Copyright 2021 Springer.…”

“…Copyright 2021 Springer. Panels D, E, J, and K are reproduced using permission from ref . Copyright 2022 Nature Portfolio.…”