Bacterial adherence to titanium surface coated with human serum albumin.
OBJECTIVE
An albumin coating on titanium implants will inhibit bacterial adhesion on the implant surface.


BACKGROUND
Bacterial, protein, and platelet adhesion on otologic implants and tympanostomy tubes is a major reason for implant sequelae and can eventually lead to implant removal. The role of albumin coating of the implant in prevention of protein adhesion on implant surface has already been tested by the authors. In the present study the authors examined the in vitro adherence of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on an albumin-coated and uncoated titanium surface.


METHODS
Human serum albumin (HSA)-coated and uncoated titanium surfaces were exposed to viable S. aureus and P. aeruginosa and, after washings, photographed by fluorescence microscopy to quantify the adhered bacteria, which was stained with acridine orange.


RESULTS
Bacteria in the suspension adhered at a significantly lesser rate to the coated surfaces than to the uncoated surfaces, with overall bacterial adhesion dependent on bacterial concentration. Binding of S. aureus on HSA-coated surfaces was inhibited significantly (from 82 to 95% depending on concentration). Binding of P. aeruginosa was inhibited from 29 to 37%.


CONCLUSIONS
Because albumin coating can reduce bacterial adherence on titanium surfaces in vitro, reduction is possible in bacterial contamination and infection of the HSA-coated titanium implant in vivo.
Kinnari
Teemu J
TJ
Department of Otolaryngology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. teemu.kinnari@hus.fi
Peltonen
Lauri I
LI
Kuusela
Pentti
P
Kivilahti
Jorma
J
Könönen
Mauno
M
Jero
Jussi
J
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000502:physiology*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000502:physiology*; D014025:Titanium
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014025:Titanium