Published online Jun 18, 2022. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v13.i6.578
Peer-review started: December 25, 2021
First decision: March 7, 2022
Revised: March 20, 2022
Accepted: May 22, 2022
Article in press: May 22, 2022
Published online: June 18, 2022
Processing time: 173 Days and 16.5 Hours
Orthopedic implant-related infection remains one of the most serious complications after orthopedic surgery. In recent years, there has been an increased scientific interest to improve prevention and treatment strategies. However, many of these strategies have focused on chemical measures.
To analyze the effect of alternating current electrical fields on bacterial adherence to titanium surfaces.
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were exposed to 6.5 V electrical currents at different frequencies: 0.5 Hz, 0.1 Hz, and 0.05 Hz. After exposure, a bacterial count was then performed and compared to the control model. Other variables registered included the presence of electrocoagulation of the medium, electrode oxidation and/or corrosion, and changes in pH of the medium.
The most effective electrical model for reducing S. aureus adhesion was 6.5 V alternating current at 0.05 Hz achieving a 90% adhesion reduction rate. For E. coli, the 0.05 Hz frequency model also showed the most effective results with a 53% adhesion reduction rate, although these were significantly lower than S. aureus. Notable adhesion reduction rates were observed for S. aureus and E.coli in the studied conditions. However, the presence of electrode oxidation makes us presume these conditions are not optimal for in vivo use.
Although our findings suggest electrical currents may be useful in preventing bacterial adhesion to metal surfaces, further research using other electrical conditions must be examined to consider their use for in vivo trials.
Core Tip: Current strategies to prevent orthopedic implant infections have focused on chemical measures. Our data suggest electrical currents may be useful in preventing Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli adhesion to titanium surfaces. Reduction in adhesion rates of up to 90% were observed when applying low intensity alternating currents on titanium surfaces. Further research is needed to consider the use of electrical currents for infection prevention in an in vivo scenario.