Hendrik Busscher

Simultaneous interaction of bacteria and tissue cells with photocatalytically activated, anodized titanium surfaces

Photocatalytic-activation of anodized TiO2-surfaces has been demonstrated to yield antibacterial and tissue integrating effects, but effects on simultaneous growth of tissue cells and bacteria in co-culture have never been studied. Moreover, it is unknown how human-bone-marrow-mesenchymal-stem (hBMMS) cells, laying the groundwork for integration of titanium implants in bone, respond to photocatalytic activation of anodized TiO2-surfaces. Photocatalytically-activated, anodized titanium and titanium-alloy surfaces achieved 99.99% killing of adhering Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, an effect that lasted for 30 days of storage in air. Surface coverage by osteoblasts was not affected by photocatalytic activation of anodized TiO2-surfaces. Co-cultures of osteoblasts with contaminating S. epidermidis however, enhanced surface coverage on photocatalytically-activated, anodized titanium-alloy surfaces. hBMMS cells grew less on photocatalytically-activated, anodized titanium surfaces, while not at all on photocatalytically-activated, anodized titanium-alloy surfaces and did not survive the presence of contaminating staphylococci. This reduced surface coverage by hBMMS cells disappeared when photocatalytically-activated, anodized titanium-alloy surfaces were exposed to buffer for 60 min, both in absence or presence of contaminating S. aureus. Consequently, it is concluded that photocatalytically-activated, anodized titanium and titanium-alloy surfaces will effectively kill peri-operatively introduced staphylococci contaminating an implant surface and constitute an effective means for antibiotic prophylaxis in cementless fixation of orthopaedic hardware.

Description of two morphotypes of Peptostreptococcus micros.

Peptostreptococcus micros is often isolated from abscesses in several parts of the human body. The oral cavity is considered the natural habitat for the species, which has been implicated as a periodontal pathogen. In plaque samples from periodontitis patients we observed the presence of a rough morphotype of P. micros in addition to the previously recognized smooth morphotype. The rough morphotype has not been described previously. Both morphotypes are frequently isolated simultaneously from the same patient. In this paper strains of both morphotypes are described. The smooth morphotype, represented by the type strain, grew as small, dome-shaped, bright white, nonhemolytic colonies. The rough morphotype grew as equally white dry colonies which were hemolytic and had wrinkled edges. DNA-DNA reassociation studies revealed homology at the species level between the two morphotypes; in addition, no differences in physiological characteristics were observed when the organisms were tested with API-32A and API-ZYM kits. The rough cells had long, thin fibrillar structures outside the cell envelope when they were stained negatively for electron microscopy. In the smooth morphotype these structures were not present. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles of whole-cell extracts were different for the two morphotypes. In xylene-water phase partition studies, the smooth morphotype was found to be hydrophobic, whereas the rough morphotype was found to be relatively hydrophilic. The distinct morphotypes were stable on blood agar; however, the rough morphotype changed to a nonfibrillar type with a smooth colony morphology after repeated subculturing in broth.

Surfactive and antibacterial activity of cetylpyridinium chloride formulations in vitro and in vivo

AIM To compare effects of three cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) formulations with and without alcohol and Tween80 on physico-chemical properties of salivary pellicles, bacterial detachment in vitro and bacterial killing in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS Adsorption of CPC to salivary pellicles in vitro was studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angle measurements. Adhesion and detachment of a co-adhering bacterial pair was determined in vitro using a flow chamber. Killing was evaluated after live/dead staining after acute single use in vivo on 24- and 72-h-old plaques after 2-week continuous use. RESULTS The most pronounced effects on pellicle surface chemistry and hydrophobicity were observed after treatment with the alcohol-free formulation, while the pellicle thickness was not affected by any of the formulations. All CPC formulations detached up to 33% of the co-adhering pair from pellicle surfaces. Bacterial aggregate sizes during de novo deposition were enhanced after treatment with the alcohol-free formulation. Immediate and sustained killing in 24 and 72 h plaques after in vivo, acute single use as well as after 2-week continuous use were highest for the alcohol-free formulation. CONCLUSIONS CPC bioavailability in a formulation without alcohol and Tween80 could be demonstrated through measures of pellicle surface properties and bacterial interactions in vitro as well as bacteriocidal actions on oral biofilms in vivo.

On-demand antimicrobial release from a temperature-sensitive polymer - Comparison with ad libitum release from central venous catheters

Antimicrobial releasing biomaterial coatings have found application for instance in the fixation of orthopedic joint prostheses and central venous catheters. Most frequently, the release kinetics is such that antimicrobially-effective concentrations are only reached within the first days to weeks after implantation, leaving no local antimicrobial release available when a biomaterial-associated infection occurs later. Here we compare the ad libitum release of chlorhexidine and silver-sulfadiazine from a central venous catheter with their release from a new, on-demand release coating consisting of a temperature-sensitive copolymer of styrene and n-butyl (meth)acrylate. The copolymer can be loaded with an antimicrobial, which is released when the temperature is raised above its glass transition temperature. Ad libitum release of chlorhexidine and silver-sulfadiazine from a commercially-purchased catheter and associated antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus was limited to 16days. Consecutive temperature-triggers of our on-demand coating yielded little or no antimicrobial efficacy of silver-acetate release, but antimicrobially-effective chlorhexidine concentrations were observed over a time period of 60-80days. This attests to the clear advantage of on-demand coatings above ad libitum releasing coatings, that may have released their antimicrobial content before it is actually needed. Importantly, glass transition temperature of chlorhexidine loaded copolymers was lower (48°C) than of silver loaded ones (61°C), facilitating their clinical use.