title: Bacterial adherence and biofilm formation on medical implants: a review.
abstract: Biofilms are a complex group of microbial cells that adhere to the exopolysaccharide matrix present on the surface of medical devices. Biofilm-associated infections in the medical devices pose a serious problem to the public health and adversely affect the function of the device. Medical implants used in oral and orthopedic surgery are fabricated using alloys such as stainless steel and titanium. The biological behavior, such as osseointegration and its antibacterial activity, essentially depends on both the chemical composition and the morphology of the surface of the device. Surface treatment of medical implants by various physical and chemical techniques are attempted in order to improve their surface properties so as to facilitate bio-integration and prevent bacterial adhesion. The potential source of infection of the surrounding tissue and antimicrobial strategies are from bacteria adherent to or in a biofilm on the implant which should prevent both biofilm formation and tissue colonization. This article provides an overview of bacterial biofilm formation and methods adopted for the inhibition of bacterial adhesion on medical implants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: Suganthan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Veerachamy
authors.affiliation: Newcastle University of Medicine Malaysia, Nusajaya, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Tejasri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yarlagadda
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biomaterials Science and Technology, School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University, Vellore, India geethamanivasagam@vit.ac.in.
authors.forename: Geetha
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Manivasagam
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Prasad Kdv
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Yarlagadda
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000382:microbiology*; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible
keywords: Biofilm; bacteria; infections; medical implants; nano-polymer coatings