Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) occur infrequently, but due to its increased clinical use represent the most devastating complication with high morbidity and substantial cost. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci are the most common infecting agents associated with PJI. A possible therapeutic approach could be the local antibiotic by fluoride-TiO2 nanostructured anodic layers in order to prevent surface colonisation during the early moments after surgery. Here we describe the first results of this model using two common antibiotics. Fluoride-TiO2 nanostructured anodic layers on Ti6Al4V alloy were produced as described previously by Arenas et al (2013). Discs shaped pieces of Ti6Al4V alloy were loaded with a solution of 150 mg antibiotic (vancomycin or gentamicin)/20 ml sterile distilled water. Samples were immersed in this solution during 24 hours at room temperature with agitation, and then were dried during 48 hours at 20°C. Antibiotic release was studied by introducing both discs in sterile PBS and samples were taken at different times. Samples were then frozen at −80°C until HPLC measurements and biological activity tests using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051 (vancomycin) and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (gentamicin) were performed.Introduction
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