Biofilm-associated implant-related bone and joint infections are clinically important due to the extensive morbidity, cost of care and socioeconomic burden that they cause. Research in the field of biofilms has expanded in the past two decades, however, there is still an immense knowledge gap related to many clinical challenges of these biofilm-associated infections. This subject was assigned to the Biofilm Workgroup during the second International Consensus Meeting on Musculoskeletal Infection held in Philadelphia USA (ICM 2018) (https://icmphilly.com). The main objective of the Biofilm Workgroup was to prepare a consensus document based on a review of the literature, prepared responses, discussion, and vote on thirteen biofilm related questions. The Workgroup commenced discussing and refining responses prepared before the meeting on day one using Delphi methodology, followed by a tally of responses using an anonymized voting system on the second day of ICM 2018. The Working group derived consensus on information about biofilms deemed relevant to clinical practice, pertaining to: (1) surface modifications to prevent/inhibit biofilm formation; (2) therapies to prevent and treat biofilm infections; (3) polymicrobial biofilms; (4) diagnostics to detect active and dormant biofilm in patients; (5) methods to establish minimal biofilm eradication concentration for biofilm bacteria; and (6) novel anti-infectives that are effective against biofilm bacteria. It was also noted that biomedical research funding agencies and the pharmaceutical industry should recognize these areas as priorities. ß
Background and purpose Low-virulence implant infections are characterized by bacterial colonization of the implant with subsequent biofilm formation. In these cases, soft tissue biopsies often prove to be culture negative. Consequently, detachment of the causative adherent bacteria is crucial for correct microbiological diagnosis. Using an in vitro model, we compared 4 methods of biofilm sampling from metal surfaces.Methods Discs of titanium and steel were incubated in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Propionibacterium acnes in Mueller Hinton broth. Non-adherent bacteria were removed by repeated rinsing of the discs. 10 parallels of each disc were subjected to 1 of 4 methods for bacterial recovery: (A) sonication of the discs, (B) scraping of the discs using surgical blades followed by streaking of the blades onto agar plates, (C) scraping of the discs followed by vortex mixing of the surgical blades, and (D) scraping of the discs followed by sonication of the surgical blades. Quantitative bacterial cultures were performed for each sampling method.Results With the exception of S. epidermidis on steel, sonication efficiently and reliably dislodged biofilm bacteria. The scraping methods employed did not detach bacteria embedded in biofilm.Interpretation Scraping of metal surfaces is not an adequate method for sampling of biofilm bacteria in vitro.
We studied the basic release patterns of antibiotics from cancellous bone in vitro. Antibiotic-impregnated bone was compressed into a wire-mesh cylinder and the release of antibiotic was assessed by two different in vitro methods: agar diffusion and broth elution. The zones of inhibition were measured on seeded agar and the amounts of antibiotics released in elution tubes were assessed by a bioassay. The study continued for 21 days with daily transfer of the cylinders. The results indicated that benzylpenicillin, dicloxacillin, cephalotin, netilmicin, clindamycin, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin were adsorbed to cancellous bone in vitro. Compared to broth elution, agar diffusion showed a prolonged period of release, owing to the small amounts of antibiotic leaking out of the cylinder into the agar. The betalactams had antibacterial activity in broth for a shorter time than the other antibiotics. The release patterns of the betalactams were similar, in spite of their differences in thermal stability. Only rifampicin showed a concentration higher than MIC for longer than 21 days.
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