Biofilm formation of Stahphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Ti-6AL-4V AND Ti-6AL-4V-Boron alloys.

QUIJANO, J., MARZANO, S., BRELLES-MARIÑO, G., RAVI, V., AND ALAS, S. A

Los Angeles, California, Estados Unidos de America

Simposio; Microbiology: Beyond Human Disease Symposium.Southern California Academy of Sciences (SCAS) Annual Meeting; 2010

Southern California Academy of Sciences

Human prosthetics are being utilized more frequently as the populations that require their use expand. The development of modern human prosthetics has resulted in more biocompatible implants, but they continue to lack acceptable longevity due to prosthetic loosening that is caused by metal corrosion or chronic infection. One major area of concern is the formation of antibiotic resistant biofilm on the prosthetic surface during infections. Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis, two bacteria that commonly create biofilm on patient implants, we investigated the biocompatibility of novel titanium alloys with regard to their susceptibility to biofilm propagation. The biometals examined were stainless steel (SS), commercially pure titanium (CPTi), Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) and 3 novel titanium alloys that contain 0.05%, 0.4%, or 1.0% boron. Biofilm formation was analyzed using crystal violet staining and fluorescent microscopy. Ideal experimental conditions were obtained using flasks with 50mL TSB media for 24 hours at 37C or using a biofilm reactor with 350mL TSB media, and allowing incubation for 48 hours at 37C. Biofilm reactor experiments were performed with or without a constant infusion of growth media during biofilm formation. Media flow rates were established to prevent bacterial saturation during biofilm formation in the reactor. Results indicate that the Ti64 metal alloy permits less biofilm formation than SS, CPTi and the titanium-boron alloys, by both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis, using all three methods performed. Thus, the Ti-6Al-4V alloy may be a better alternative to traditional metals, stainless steel and pure titanium, as a modern prosthetic biometal.