Antimicrobial loading of nanotubular titanium surfaces favoring surface coverage by mammalian cells over bacterial colonization

Titanium is frequently used for dental implants, percutaneous pins and screws or orthopedic joint prostheses. Implant surfaces can become peri-operatively contaminated by surgically introduced bacteria during implantation causing lack of surface coverage mammalian cells subsequent implant failure. Especially implants that have to function in a bacteria-laden environment such as pins, cannot be implanted while being kept sterile. Accordingly, contaminating adhering hamper successful required long-term functioning. Here, nanotubular titanium were prepared loaded with Ag nanoparticles gentamicin the aim killing order favor cells. In mono-cultures, unloaded nanotubules did not cause bacterial killing, but loading reduced number Staphylococcus aureus Pseudomonas aeruginosa CFUs. A gentamicin-resistant epidermidis was only killed upon nanoparticles. However, unlike low-level loading, also caused tissue-cell death. bi-cultures, gentamicin-loading effectively eradicated favoring Thus, care must taken nanoparticles, gentamicin-loaded local antibiotic delivery system negate failure due introduced, without hampering