The photodynamic effect of tetra-substituted N-methyl-pyridyl-porphine combined with the action of vancomycin or host defense mechanisms disrupts Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms.

The skin commensal and opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important cause of nosocomial infections. Virulence is attributable to formation of biofilm, which provides a microenvironment that protects the bacterium from attack by the host immune system and by chemotherapy. In this study we extended to S. epidermidis strategies previously aimed at treatment of S. aureus biofilms using photodynamic treatment (PDT) combined with chemotherapy or phagocytosis. A significant reduction in bacterial survival was observed when structurally distinct biofilms were exposed to the cationic porphyrin, tetra-substituted N-methyl-pyridyl-porphine (TMP), and simultaneously to visible light. Of note, the extent of biofilm clearance depended on its maturation stage: developing, young biofilms, were more sensitive towards PDT than mature biofilms. Furthermore, PDT-treated biofilms exposed to vancomycin or subjected to phagocytic action of whole blood were almost completely eradicated. The data we obtained establish that PDT combined with antibiotics or host defenses may also be a useful approach for the inactivation of S. epidermidis biofilms.

Electrochemical surface modification of titanium for implant abutments can affect oral bacteria contamination.

PURPOSE: This research concerns the characterization of an electrochemical surface treatment applied to titanium, focused especially on the treatment of the transmucosal area of dental implants and abutments. The treatment is applied to improve soft tissue adhesion, to control and limit bacteria adhesion and proliferation, and to improve the aesthetic performance through a proper colorization of the metal surface. METHODS: The electrochemical treatment considered, obtained on titanium by Anodic Spark Deposition technique (ASD), was performed in a calcium phosphate enriched solution. The bacteria behaviour was assessed by in vitro and in vivo tests. RESULTS: The investigated ASD treatment showed some antibacterial effect. No negative cytocompatibility effects were found on MG63 - human osteosarcoma cell lines and L929 - murine fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: The ASD modified treatment was found capable of modifying the titanium oxide layer providing a prevalent anatase crystalline structure and a microporous morphology, which can play an important role in the tissue integration process. The treatment was found capable of enriching the surface with calcium, providing improved biocompatibility and a light gray colorization. This last point is important for the aesthetic improvement of dental implant systems in the transgingival area.

Photodynamic action of Tri-meso (N-methyl-pyridyl), meso (N-tetradecyl-pyridyl) porphine on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms grown on Ti6Al4V alloy.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a leading cause of nosocomial infections, and its virulence is attributable to formation of biofilm, especially on implanted devices. Photodynamic treatment (PDT) has been actively investigated for the eradication of bacterial biofilm growing on dental plaques and oral implants. In this study, we used Tri-meso (N-methyl-pyridyl), meso (N-tetradecyl-pyridyl) porphine (C14) for inactivation of two structurally distinct S. epidermidis biofilms grown on Ti6Al4V alloy and compared its photosensitizing efficiency with that of the parent molecule, tetra-substituted N-methyl-pyridyl-porphine (C1). A more significant reduction in bacterial survival was observed when both bacterial biofilms were exposed to a lower dose of C14, and simultaneously to visible light in comparison with C1. The different responses of both staphylococcal biofilms to C1- or C14-treatment appeared to depend on photosensitizer endocellular concentration. C14 bound to both biofilms to a greater extent than C1. Moreover, C14 penetrates deeper into the bacterial membranes, as determined by fluorescence quenching experiments with methylviologen, allowing for better bacterial killing photoefficiency. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) analysis indicated damage to bacterial cell membranes in both photodynamically treated biofilms, while disruption of PDT-treated biofilm was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In summary, C14 may be a potential photosensitizer for the inactivation of staphylococcal biofilms for many device-related infections which are accessible to visible light.

The effect of photodynamic treatment combined with antibiotic action or host defence mechanisms on Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important etiological agents of infections associated with medical devices. This is in part due to the ability of the organism to form biofilm, which provides a microenvironment that protects from attack by the host's immune system and by antibiotics. In this study we examined the structure of polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA)-dependent or protein-based S. aureus biofilms. We defined new strategies aimed at treatment of mature established biofilms using photodynamic treatment (PDT) combined with chemotherapy or phagocytosis. Significant inactivation of bacteria was observed when structurally distinct biofilms were exposed to the cationic porphyrin, tetra-substituted N-methyl-pyridyl-porphine (TMP), and simultaneously to visible light. Moreover, PDT-treated biofilms exposed to vancomycin or subjected to the phagocytic action of whole blood resulted in their almost complete eradication. The drastic reduction in staphylococcal survival and the disruption of biofilms were confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results suggest that PDT combined with vancomycin and the host defences may be a useful approach for the inactivation of staphylococcal biofilms adhering to medical implant surfaces.