by Marina Medel-Plaza, María Angeles Arenas, John J. Aguilera-Correa, Amber De Bleeckere, Aranzazu Mediero, Ignacio García, Juan J. De Damborenea, Jaime Esteban, Tom Coenye and Ana Conde
Abstract:
Background: Implant-associated infections remain a major challenge in orthopaedic surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-adherent and anti-biofilm properties of a novel anodized 316L stainless-steel (A 316L SS) surface against common pathogens in osteosynthesis-associated infections (OAIs). Methods: Bacterial adherence and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Cutibacterium acnes, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were assessed on A 316L SS and non-anodized 316L stainless steel (Ref 316L SS). Adherence was evaluated after 90 min using fluorescence microscopy. Biofilm development was examined after 24–48 h in synthetic synovial fluid (SSF) using colony counts and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: A 316L SS significantly reduced bacterial adherence and surface coverage for all species tested compared to Ref 316L SS. In biofilm assays, A 316L SS exhibited notable anti-biofilm properties, with significantly reduced biofilm formation for all species. E. faecalis and C. acnes also showed lower planktonic bacterial counts. Imaging confirmed decreased bacterial presence and extracellular matrix on A 316L SS. Conclusions: A 316L SS shows strong anti-adherent and anti-biofilm properties against common orthopaedic pathogens, even under in vivo-like conditions. This surface modification strategy holds significant potential for reducing implant-associated infections and warrants further investigation for clinical applications.
Reference:
Marina Medel-Plaza, María Angeles Arenas, John J. Aguilera-Correa, Amber De Bleeckere, Aranzazu Mediero, Ignacio García, Juan J. De Damborenea, Jaime Esteban, Tom Coenye and Ana Conde, “Evaluation of bacterial adherence and biofilm development on an anodized stainless-steel surface for the prevention of osteosynthesis-associated infections”, Journal of Bone and Joint Infection, vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 581–595.
Bibtex Entry:
@article{medel-plaza_evaluation_2025,
title = {Evaluation of bacterial adherence and biofilm development on an anodized stainless-steel surface for the prevention of osteosynthesis-associated infections},
volume = {10},
issn = {2206-3552},
url = {https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12753106/},
doi = {10.5194/jbji-10-581-2025},
abstract = {Background: Implant-associated infections remain a major challenge in orthopaedic surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-adherent and anti-biofilm properties of a novel anodized 316L stainless-steel (A 316L SS) surface against common pathogens in osteosynthesis-associated infections (OAIs). Methods: Bacterial adherence and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Cutibacterium acnes, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were assessed on A 316L SS and non-anodized 316L stainless steel (Ref 316L SS). Adherence was evaluated after 90 min using fluorescence microscopy. Biofilm development was examined after 24–48 h in synthetic synovial fluid (SSF) using colony counts and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: A 316L SS significantly reduced bacterial adherence and surface coverage for all species tested compared to Ref 316L SS. In biofilm assays, A 316L SS exhibited notable anti-biofilm properties, with significantly reduced biofilm formation for all species. E. faecalis and C. acnes also showed lower planktonic bacterial counts. Imaging confirmed decreased bacterial presence and extracellular matrix on A 316L SS. Conclusions: A 316L SS shows strong anti-adherent and anti-biofilm properties against common orthopaedic pathogens, even under in vivo-like conditions. This surface modification strategy holds significant potential for reducing implant-associated infections and warrants further investigation for clinical applications.},
number = {6},
urldate = {2026-03-16},
journal = {Journal of Bone and Joint Infection},
author = {Medel-Plaza, Marina and Arenas, María Angeles and Aguilera-Correa, John J. and De Bleeckere, Amber and Mediero, Aranzazu and García, Ignacio and De Damborenea, Juan J. and Esteban, Jaime and Coenye, Tom and Conde, Ana},
month = dec,
year = {2025},
pages = {581--595},
file = {Full Text PDF:E:\Usuarios\Administrator\Zotero\storage\AGDC6RMU\Medel-Plaza et al. - 2025 - Evaluation of bacterial adherence and biofilm development on an anodized stainless-steel surface for.pdf:application/pdf},
}