Covalent bonding of vancomycin to Ti6Al4V alloy pins provides long-term inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus colonization

Self-protecting Ti6Al4V alloy pins were prepared by covalent bonding of bis(ethylene glycol) linkers, then vancomycin to the oxidized, aminopropylated Ti6Al4V alloy surface. Fluorescence modification-enabled estimation of yields of free amines on the metallic surface monolayer at each reaction step. The vancomycin-protected Ti6Al4V pins were not colonized by Staphylococcus aureus, even after 44 days storage in physiological buffer. These results provide a basis for testing self-protection against S. aureus colonization in animal models.

Graphical abstractVancomycin–oligoethyleneglycol–aminopropylsilyl–Ti6Al4V alloy pins were constructed by solid phase coupling. After 44 days storage in physiological buffer, control Ti6Al4V pins (left) were thoroughly colonized by Staphylococcus aureus (green), but not the vancomycin-protected Ti6Al4V pins (right).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide