title: Photoactive TiO₂ antibacterial coating on surgical external fixation pins for clinical application.
abstract: External fixation is a method of osteosynthesis currently used in traumatology and orthopedic surgery. Pin tract infection is a common problem in clinical practice. Infection occurs after bacterial colonization of the pin due to its contact with skin and the local environment. One way to prevent such local contamination is to create a specific coating that could be applied in the medical field. In this work, we developed a surface coating for external fixator pins based on the photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide, producing a bactericidal effect with sufficient mechanical strength to be compatible with surgical use. The morphology and structure of the sol-gel coating layers were characterized using, respectively, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The resistance properties of the coating were investigated by mechanical testing. Photodegradation of acid orange 7 in aqueous solution was used as a probe to assess the photocatalytic activity of the titanium dioxide layers under ultraviolet irradiation. The bactericidal effect induced by the process was evaluated against two strains, ie, Staphylococcus aureus and multiresistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. The coated pins showed good mechanical strength and an efficient antibacterial effect after 1 hour of ultraviolet irradiation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory C-Biosenss EA 4676, Clermont-Ferrand University, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France ; Department of Orthopedics, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital (CHU), Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Villatte
authors.affiliation: Laboratory C-Biosenss EA 4676, Clermont-Ferrand University, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Massard
authors.affiliation: Laboratory C-Biosenss EA 4676, Clermont-Ferrand University, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France ; Department of Orthopedics, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital (CHU), Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Descamps
authors.affiliation: Laboratory C-Biosenss EA 4676, Clermont-Ferrand University, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sibaud
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Microorganism UMR 6023, Clermont-Ferrand University, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Forestier
authors.affiliation: Laboratory C-Biosenss EA 4676, Clermont-Ferrand University, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Komla-Oscar
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Awitor
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D001557:Benzenesulfonates / Q000737:chemistry; D001858:Bone Nails; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D016267:External Fixators; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001391:Azo Compounds; D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium; C014722:2-naphthol orange
keywords: antibacterial effect; external pin fixation; hybrid sol-gel; mechanical strength; titanium dioxide; ultraviolet photoactivity