Introduction

Biofilm-related infections are among the main reasons for failure of joint prosthesis with high associated social and economical costs. Bacterial adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation have been shown to develop early after biomaterials implant into the human body, when a “race to the surface” takes place between the host's cells and the colonizing bacteria eventually present at the surgical site. Providing an antibacterial/antibiofilm coating of the implant may then play a strategic role in preventing biofilm related infections. Here we report the results of a series of in vitro and in vivo studies, partially performed under the European 7th Framework Programme (Implant Disposable Antibiotic Coating, IDAC, collaborative research project # 277988), concerning a fully resorbable, biocompatible antibacterial hydrogel coating (DAC®, Novagenit, Italy). The patented hydrogel, a co-polimer comprising of hyaluronic acid and a polylactic acid, has been designed to be mixed with various antibacterial agents and applied directly on the implant at the time of surgery, being fully resorbed within few days.