PMMA bone cement containing long releasing silica-based chlorhexidine nanocarriers

Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) are still an extremely concerning eventuality after replacement surgery; growing antibiotic resistance is also limiting the prophylactic and treatment options. Chlorhexidine (a widely used topical non-antibiotic antimicrobial compound) coatings on silica nanoparticles capable of prolonged drug release have been successfully developed characterised. Such nanocarriers were incorporated into commercial formulation PMMA bone cement (Cemex), without adversely affecting mechanical performance. Moreover, containing showed superior activity against different bacterial species encountered in PJI, including clinical isolates already resistant to gentamicin. Cytocompatibility tests non inferior performance cements chlorhexidine releasing equivalent formulation.