title: Gentamicin-loaded bioresorbable films for prevention of bacterial infections associated with orthopedic implants.
abstract: Adhesion of bacteria to biomaterials and the ability of many microorganisms to form biofilms on foreign bodies are well-established as major contributors to the pathogenesis of implant-associated infections. Treatment of bone infection remains problematic, due to the difficulty of systemically administered antibiotics to locally penetrate bone. The current research addresses this issue by focusing on the development and study of novel gentamicin-loaded bioresorbable films designed to serve as "coatings" for fracture fixation devices and prevent implant-associated infections. Poly(L-lactic acid) and poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) films containing gentamicin were developed through solution processing. The effects of polymer type, drug content, and processing conditions on the drug release profile were studied with respect to film morphology. The examined films generally exhibited a burst effect followed by a moderate approximately constant rate of release. The drug contents in the surrounding medium exceeded the required minimal effective concentration. Various gentamicin concentrations that were released from the films with time exhibited efficacy against bacterial species known to be involved in orthopedic infections. The developed systems can be applied on the surface of any metallic or polymeric fracture fixation device, and may therefore comprise a significant contribution to the field of orthopedic implants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel.
authors.forename: Moran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aviv
authors.forename: Israela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Berdicevsky
authors.forename: Meital
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zilberman
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006016:Glycolates / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment / Q000382:microbiology*; D011091:Polyesters; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000378:metabolism; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000382:microbiology*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D006016:Glycolates; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)