Abstract
Objective: The ability of bacteria to adhere to the surface of biomaterials is a pivotal event in the pathogenesis of implant-related infections. In this in vitro study, we evaluated the adherence ability of Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) (ATCC35984) to the surface of solid biomaterials, such as oxidized zirconium-niobium alloy (OXINIUM), cobalt-chrome alloy (CoCrMo), titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V), commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti), and stainless steel (SUS), respectively.
Methods: The surface roughness and wettability (water contact angles) of test specimens were analyzed, and viable adherent bacterial density was quantitatively determined (n = 10).
Results: Three-dimensional measuring via a laser microscope revealed featureless and smooth surfaces in all specimens (Ra < 10 nm). The mean value of S. epidermidis adherence to CoCrMo (9.7×105 cfu/ml) was significantly lower than that compared to Ti6Al4V (15.8×105 cfu/ml), cp-Ti (16.3×105 cfu/ml), or SUS (15.4×105 cfu/ml) (P < 0.05), respectively.
Conclusion: These results indicate that CoCrMo, which has a smooth and hydrophobic surface, is less susceptible to bacterial adherence and is less inclined to develop infection under a similar degree of roughness than the other materials.
