Effect of Low Amperage Electric Current on Staphylococcus Aureus—Strategy for Combating Bacterial Biofilms Formation on Dental Implants in Cystic Fibrosis Patients, In Vitro Study

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects multiple organs and systems. The oral cavity can serve as a substantial source of bacteria, causing respiratory infections and diseases which continue to dictate the clinical course of the disease and prognosis in patients with CF. Low voltage and electric current could effectively kill bacteria and biofilms, and the activity of milliampere currents could be used as an effective method of fighting bacteria. This study evaluated the effect of low amperage electric current on the formation of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms on dental implants such as titanium and zirconium in patients with cystic fibrosis. Our studies suggest that a constant electric current at a low intensity of 1 mA and 10 mA is inhibiting bacterial adhesion, detaching biofilm-forming bacteria on biomaterials used in dental implants such as titanium and zirconium, and destroying bacterial cells of Staphylococcus aureus strains. In addition, we observed the selection of an appropriate biomaterial for implants in people affected by chronic diseases, such as CF, should be carefully planned.

External Stimuli-Responsive Strategies for Surface Modification of Orthopedic Implants: Killing Bacteria and Enhancing Osteogenesis

“…Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain the bactericidal effects of E.S. 143 The direct contact theory suggests that the electric current disrupts the integrity of the cell membrane, leading to bacterial death. 144 The indirect killing theory involves the production of reactive and toxic substances, pH and temperature changes, and the properties of the electrical current itself.…”

“…The ability of electric current to eradicate pathogens depends on factors, such as charge size, density, polarity, and bacterial strain. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain the bactericidal effects of E.S . The direct contact theory suggests that the electric current disrupts the integrity of the cell membrane, leading to bacterial death .…”

Biofilm Formation by Staphylococcus aureus in the Specific Context of Cystic Fibrosis

“…Physical stimulations, either electrical or magnetic, have also been applied to biofilms formed by S. aureus strains from CF patients [144,145]. In a context of increasing interest in the oral health of CF patients, Minkiewicz-Zochniak et al analyzed the influence of low-intensity current on the ability of three CF S. aureus strains (one each among weak, moderate and strong biofilm formers) to form biofilm on titane (Ti-6Al-4V) and zirconium oxide biomaterials commonly used in dental implants [145]. Beside the implications on implant life cycle and potential local inflammation/infection processes, these biofilms are of importance as they may also represent a reservoir for both upper and lower airway infections in CF patients.…”

“…A low-amperage electrical current of 10 mA led to significant S. aureus biofilm reduction, affecting both adhesion (CV-staining evaluation) and S. aureus survival (live/dead fluorescence microscopy) as well as detaching biofilm-forming S. aureus from the biomaterial. Indeed, biofilm structure damage was visible after 10 min and attributed to an increase in the repulsive electrostatic forces between S. aureus and the biomaterial [145].…”

Zinc Imidazole Framework‐8 Nanoparticles Disperse MRSA Biofilm by Inhibiting Arginine Biosynthesis and Down‐Regulating Adhesion‐Related Proteins

“…[11] Staphylococcus aureus biofilms have been found to colonize various human implant surfaces, such as pacemaker lead, [12] titanium locking plates, [13] biomaterials commonly used in dentistry (titanium alloy, zirconium alloy, zirconia, and cobaltchromium alloy). [14,15] Coating the implant surface with antibiotics is a common way to prevent Staphylococcus aureus from attaching, but this approach carries the risk of screening for drugresistant bacteria, a case in point is MRSA. [16] Therefore, we need to take a different approach to deal with the risk of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA biofilm-associated infections, and antibacterial nanomaterials are potential agents.…”