Final Report Summary - COATIM (Development of antibiofilm coatings for implants)
Executive Summary:
Certain microorganisms are capable of growing in layers, forming biofilms on medical surfaces, like implants, heart valves, etc... Biofilm-associated infections on implants are responsible for 15-25 % of implant failures as biofilms are resistant to most of the conventional anti-microbial agents. To improve integration of bone implants novel porous materials have been used as scaffolds that ironically serve as an ideal niche for microbial growth.
So far, implant coatings with biocidal properties have been generated, which release silver ions or conventional antibiotics to inhibit biofilm formation. The EU-funded project COATIM (http://www.coatim.eu Development of antibiofilm coatings for implants) initiative aims to develop the next generation of implant coatings containing novel potent proprietary anti-biofilm molecules (ABMs) without releasing them.
During COATIM, five molecules showing the most promise in inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth along with two standard anti-microbial compounds (vancomycin and caspofungin) were selected by the consortium members. These selected molecules were grafted on small titanium implant substrates and their anti-microbial activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, alongside their in vitro osseointegration capacity. Researchers also evaluated their remaining activity following sterilisation procedures. Finally, the molecule-coatings were applied on complex orthopaedic and dental implants and osseointegration was assessed in vivo using rat and rabbit models, respectively.
The need to resolve biofilm-associated infections is urgent to reduce the necessity for revision surgery. Besides higher medical costs, such infections lead to significant pain and distress in patients. Study outcomes are expected to help avoid or reduce this unnecessary suffering.
Project Context and Objectives:
see attached pdf
Project Results:
see attached pdf
Potential Impact:
see attached pdf
List of Websites:
www.coatim.eu
Certain microorganisms are capable of growing in layers, forming biofilms on medical surfaces, like implants, heart valves, etc... Biofilm-associated infections on implants are responsible for 15-25 % of implant failures as biofilms are resistant to most of the conventional anti-microbial agents. To improve integration of bone implants novel porous materials have been used as scaffolds that ironically serve as an ideal niche for microbial growth.
So far, implant coatings with biocidal properties have been generated, which release silver ions or conventional antibiotics to inhibit biofilm formation. The EU-funded project COATIM (http://www.coatim.eu Development of antibiofilm coatings for implants) initiative aims to develop the next generation of implant coatings containing novel potent proprietary anti-biofilm molecules (ABMs) without releasing them.
During COATIM, five molecules showing the most promise in inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth along with two standard anti-microbial compounds (vancomycin and caspofungin) were selected by the consortium members. These selected molecules were grafted on small titanium implant substrates and their anti-microbial activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, alongside their in vitro osseointegration capacity. Researchers also evaluated their remaining activity following sterilisation procedures. Finally, the molecule-coatings were applied on complex orthopaedic and dental implants and osseointegration was assessed in vivo using rat and rabbit models, respectively.
The need to resolve biofilm-associated infections is urgent to reduce the necessity for revision surgery. Besides higher medical costs, such infections lead to significant pain and distress in patients. Study outcomes are expected to help avoid or reduce this unnecessary suffering.
Project Context and Objectives:
see attached pdf
Project Results:
see attached pdf
Potential Impact:
see attached pdf
List of Websites:
www.coatim.eu
