title: Antibacterial potency of different deposition methods of silver and copper containing diamond-like carbon coated polyethylene.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antibacterial coatings of medical devices have been introduced as a promising approach to reduce the risk of infection. In this context, diamond-like carbon coated polyethylene (DLC-PE) can be enriched with bactericidal ions and gain antimicrobial potency. So far, influence of different deposition methods and ions on antimicrobial effects of DLC-PE is unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  We quantitatively determined the antimicrobial potency of different PE surfaces treated with direct ion implantation (II) or plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) and doped with silver (Ag-DLC-PE) or copper (Cu-DLC-PE). Bacterial adhesion and planktonic growth of various strains of S. epidermidis were evaluated by quantification of bacterial growth as well as semiquantitatively by determining the grade of biofilm formation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally silver release kinetics of PIII-samples were detected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (1) A significant (p < 0.05) antimicrobial effect on PE-surface could be found for Ag- and Cu-DLC-PE compared to untreated PE. (2) The antimicrobial effect of Cu was significantly lower compared to Ag (reduction of bacterial growth by 0.8 (Ag) and 0.3 (Cu) logarithmic (log)-levels). (3) PIII as a deposition method was more effective in providing antibacterial potency to PE-surfaces than II alone (reduction of bacterial growth by 2.2 (surface) and 1.1 (surrounding medium) log-levels of PIII compared to 1.2 (surface) and 0.6 (medium) log-levels of II). (4) Biofilm formation was more decreased on PIII-surfaces compared to II-surfaces. (5) A silver-concentration-dependent release was observed on PIII-samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained in this study suggest that PIII as a deposition method and Ag-DLC-PE as a surface have high bactericidal effects.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Orthopedics and Sports Orthopedics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany ; Clinic of Orthopedics and Sports Orthopedics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harrasser
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Orthopedics and Sports Orthopedics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jüssen
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Orthopedics and Sports Orthopedics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Obermeir
authors.affiliation: Experimental Physics IV, Institut für Physik, Augsburg University, Universitätsstr. 1, 86135 Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kmeth
authors.affiliation: Experimental Physics IV, Institut für Physik, Augsburg University, Universitätsstr. 1, 86135 Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stritzker
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Orthopedics and Sports Orthopedics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany ; ATOS Clinic, Effnerstr. 38, 81925 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gollwitzer
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Orthopedics and Sports Orthopedics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burgkart
keywords: Antibacterial coating; Copper; Diamond-like carbon; Implant-associated infections; Silver; Staphylococcus epidermidis