OTA 2006 Posters
Scientific Poster #66 Basic Science
Fullerene: A Potential Carrier Molecule for Preventing Biomaterial Related
Infections in Orthopaedic Surgery
Holly Tyler, BS (n); Faith Coldren, BS (n); Barnaby Dedmond,
MD (n); Lawrence Webb, MD (n); Beth Smith, PhD (n); Tom Smith, PhD (n);
William Wagner, PhD (n); David Carroll, PhD (n);
Wake Forest University School of Medicine,
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
Purpose: Orthopaedic device-related infections are a major problem
in orthopaedic trauma, with Staphylococcus aureus being implicated
as the causative organism in as many as 80% of cases. S. aureus has
been shown to adhere to extracellular matrix and plasma proteins as well
as to implants. This adhesive growth, which is pivotal in the development
of osteomyelitis, is facilitated by the bacteria's elaboration of an exopolysaccharide
layer that functions to enable adherence of the bacteria to inert surfaces
such as an orthopaedic implant or sequestrum while also conferring some
resistance to antibiotics. Fullerenes are 60 carbon aromatic ring compounds
that have been shown to have bacteriocidal activity through disruption of
the cell walls of gram-positive staphylococcal and streptococcal species.
The purpose of this project is to present evidence of a novel molecule that,
when used to coat orthopaedic implants, may serve to lower the incidence
of infection.
Methods: Using a K-wire model, the effects of fullerene coating of
orthopaedic implants on the adherence of capsule-forming S. aureus
species were studied. Sterile stainless steel K-wires were divided into
two groups. One group was coated with a fullerene compound, while the other
group remained uncoated to serve as controls. Eight K-wires in each group
were exposed to a broth with identical concentrations of a specific strain
of S. aureus. Eight K-wires from each group were placed on blood
agar plates that had been streaked with the same strain of S. aureus.
After these exposures, each of the K-wires was examined visually by scanning
electron microscopy to determine the number of colonies of S. aureus
adhering to the coated and uncoated implants and the type of adherence.
Results: The fullerene-coated implants showed a fourfold reduction
in the number of bacterial colonies and a clustered pattern of bacterial
adherence, unlike the uncoated implants that had a more uniform distribution
of bacteria.
Conclusion/Significance: Fullerene coating provides protection against
bacterial adherence to orthopaedic implants. The coating of orthopaedic
implants with fullerene may serve as a potential mechanism for lowering
the incidence of implant-related infections in orthopaedic trauma.
If noted, the author indicates something of value received.
The codes are identified as a-research or institutional support; b-miscellaneous
funding; c-royalties; d-stock options; e-consultant or employee; n-no conflicts
disclosed, and *disclosure not available at time of printing.
·
The FDA has not cleared this drug and/or medical device for the use
described in this presentation (i.e., the drug or medical device is being
discussed for an "off label" use). · · FDA
information not available at time of printing.