The effect of metronidazole releasing polymer coatings on in vitro biofilm formation

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of a drug releasing poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) implant coating in comparison to pure titanium on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans as a model periodontopathogen to prevent biofilm formation on implant surfaces. Titanium discs were coated with P(3HB) containing 5% (w) and 10% (w) of metronidazole, either with and without a P(3HB) topcoat. The biofilm formation was evaluated after 1, 4 and 9 days in a dynamic flow chamber system. Microbial adherence was quantified by determination of bacterial surface coverage. The evaluated formulations of P(3HB)/metronidazole showed an antibacterial effect especially in the first 24 h. Prolonged incubation for 9 days showed reduced bacterial adhesion only on polymer coatings loaded with 10% (w) of metronidazole both with and without topcoat. The evaluated coating formulations can provide protection from an Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in vitro biofilm formation for the time period which was evaluated.