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Bacteriostatic behavior of surface modulated silicon nitride in comparison to polyetheretherketone and titanium
Author(s) -
Bock Ryan M.,
Jones Erin N.,
Ray Darin A.,
Sonny Bal B.,
Pezzotti Giuseppe,
McEntire Bryan J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.35987
Subject(s) - biofilm , staphylococcus epidermidis , biomaterial , materials science , titanium , peek , silicon nitride , adhesion , titanium nitride , biomedical engineering , microbiology and biotechnology , staphylococcus aureus , silicon , nitride , bacteria , composite material , nanotechnology , medicine , polymer , biology , metallurgy , genetics , layer (electronics)
Perioperative and latent infections are leading causes of revision surgery for orthopaedic devices resulting in significant increased patient care, comorbidities, and attendant costs. Identifying biomaterial surfaces that inherently resist biofilm adhesion and bacterial expression is an important emerging strategy in addressing implant‐related infections. This in vitro study was designed to compare biofilm formation on three biomaterials commonly employed in spinal fusion surgery—silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and a titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V‐ELI) —using one gram‐positive and one gram‐negative bacterial species. Disc samples from various surface treated Si 3 N 4 , PEEK, and Ti6Al4V were inoculated with 10 5 CFU/mm 2 Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC®14990™) or Escherichia coli (ATCC ® 25922™) and cultured in PBS, 7% glucose, and 10% human plasma for 24 and 48 h, followed by retrieval and rinsing. Vortexed solutions were diluted, plated, and incubated at 37 °C for 24 to 48 h. Colony forming units (CFU/mm 2 ) were determined using applicable dilution factors and surface areas. A two‐tailed, heteroscedastic Student's t ‐test (95% confidence) was used to determine statistical significance. The various Si 3 N 4 samples showed the most favorable bacterial resistance for both bacilli tested. The mechanisms for the bacteriostatic behavior of Si 3 N 4 are likely due to multivariate surface effects including submicron‐topography, negative charging, and chemical interactions which form peroxynitrite (an oxidative agent). Si 3 N 4 is a new biomaterial with the apparent potential to inhibit biofilm formation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1521–1534, 2017.