Biofilm Removal and Bacterial Reduction Using a Low-Cost Ultrasonic Bath Sonicator with Povidone–Iodine on Polyethylene: An In Vitro Periprosthetic Joint Infection Model

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Background: Biofilm formation on polyethylene surfaces contributes significantly to treatment failure in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). In certain clinical situations, such as discontinued implant systems, replacement polyethylene liners may be unavailable, necessitating more complex revision procedures. This study evaluated the efficacy of a low-cost ultrasonic bath sonicator for biofilm removal and bacterial reduction on polyethylene surfaces, with and without povidone–iodine. Methods: An exploratory in vitro experimental study was performed using twenty ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) coupons (1 × 1 cm, 3 mm thickness) allocated into five groups (n = 4/group): negative control, positive control, povidone–iodine only (PVP-I), sonication only (SON), and sonication with povidone–iodine (SON+PVP-I). Biofilm formation using Staphylococcus epidermidis was established through an optimized protocol developed from sequential pilot experiments. Residual biofilm was quantified using optical density at 600 nm (OD600), while viable bacterial burden was determined by colony-forming unit counts per milliliter (CFU/mL). Results: SON demonstrated the lowest residual biofilm burden (OD600 = 0.194), whereas no culturable bacteria were detected above the assay detection limit (

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Related topics: Orthopedic Infections and Treatments · Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing · Bone Tissue Engineering Materials