Efficacy of a plasma-deposited, vancomycin/chitosan antibiotic coating for orthopaedic devices in a bacterially challenged rabbit model

This study investigated the efficacy of co-deposited vancomycin/chitosan coatings prepared using a plasma process on metallic implants in bacterially challenged rabbit model. A BioDepTM coating was used to deposit thin layers chitosan with vancomycin onto titanium alloy surfaces. Coated were examined standard microscopy, profilometry and elution studies. Nitrided Ti-6Al-4V (Ti alloy) dynamic compression plates (DCP) (n=45) implanted femurs then bacterial inoculum prior closure. Three treatment groups compared: an unmodified Ti DCP that considered control, antibacterial vancomycin, first blasted alumina grit followed by vancomycin. Bone, surrounding soft tissue, harvested after 28 days for quantification. The clearly detected implant surfaces process. eluted antimicrobial agents prevented adhesion, regardless surface roughness, biofilm formation compared control DCP. blasting resulted both roughening partial implantation particles, but did not alter short-term effects chitosan/vancomycin coating. suggests is capable depositing agent directly this may prove be useful pathway prevent formation.