Success and side effects of different treatment options in the low current attack of bacterial biofilms on titanium implants

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Friederike Kaiser - , Chair of Biomaterials, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology, University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Dieter Scharnweber - , Chair of Biomaterials, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Susanne Bierbaum - , Chair of Biomaterials, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology, International Medical College (Author)
  • Cornelia Wolf-Brandstetter - , Chair of Biomaterials, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology, International Medical College (Author)

Abstract

The long-term success of peri-implantitis treatments is generally insufficient. Attacking the bacteria on the titanium implant surface using electrochemical polarization could be an alternative approach. In this study an E. coli biofilm in phosphate buffered saline was treated with low current densities (0.25 to 2 mA/cm2) using anodic, cathodic, or combined polarization regimes, either alone or with the antiseptic chlorhexidine. The antibacterial effect was assessed using LIVE/DEAD® staining and through quantification of viable bacteria, sample surfaces were characterized pre- and post-treatment with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. All polarization treatments had an antibacterial effect that increased with current density, with at least 1 mA/cm2 necessary to reduce colony forming units by four orders of magnitude. Cathodic treatment was slightly superior to anodic treatment, and there was no difference between alternating polarization and single-type polarization. Neither treatment resulted in a significant detachment of bacteria, but combination with chlorhexidine improved the antibacterial effect synergistically. The use of chloride containing electrolytes is not recommended in this context. The low current densities used here were not sufficient to generate adequate bactericidal chlorine reactive species, but first signs of pitting corrosion were already detected for anodic polarization at 1 mA/cm2.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number107485
Journal Bioelectrochemistry : an international journal devoted to electrochemical aspects of biology and biological aspects of electrochemistry
Volume133
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2020
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 32120321
ORCID /0000-0001-9509-6145/work/145224977

Keywords

Keywords

  • Biofilm, Disinfection, Low current treatment, Pitting corrosion, Titanium implant