Nisin-enriched coatings on titanium implants prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation: the Galleria mellonella model as a testing platform

Background: Bone and joint infections pose significant clinical challenges, often leading to severe complications and substantial healthcare costs. Traditional antibiotic therapies are becoming increasingly ineffective due to rising antibiotic resistance and the biofilm-forming ability of bacteria s...

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Main Authors: M Rupp, GK Mannala, N Walter, D Mendelsohn, C Roupie, G Ladam, B Labat, RMY Wong, WH Cheung, C Brochhausen, V Alt, M Riool, P Thebault
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Forum Multimedia Publishing LLC 2025-06-01
Series:European Cells & Materials
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Online Access:https://www.ecmjournal.org/papers/vol051/vol051a08.php
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author M Rupp
GK Mannala
N Walter
D Mendelsohn
C Roupie
G Ladam
B Labat
RMY Wong
WH Cheung
C Brochhausen
V Alt
M Riool
P Thebault
author_facet M Rupp
GK Mannala
N Walter
D Mendelsohn
C Roupie
G Ladam
B Labat
RMY Wong
WH Cheung
C Brochhausen
V Alt
M Riool
P Thebault
author_sort M Rupp
collection DOAJ
description Background: Bone and joint infections pose significant clinical challenges, often leading to severe complications and substantial healthcare costs. Traditional antibiotic therapies are becoming increasingly ineffective due to rising antibiotic resistance and the biofilm-forming ability of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Antimicrobial coatings offer a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of implant-associated and bone infections. Following the demonstrated in vitro efficacy of nisin, a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide, in preventing S. aureus biofilm formation, this study investigates the in vivo potential of a nisin-enriched coating to prevent biofilm-related infections using the Galleria mellonella larva haematogenous implant infection model. Methods: Methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) EDCC 5055 was used to infect larvae implanted with nisin-coated titanium Kirschner wires (K-wires). Survival rates and bacterial loads on both the K-wires and in larval tissue were analysed. Biofilm formation on K-wires was further analysed using scanning electron microscopy. Results: The results showed that nisin-coated K-wires significantly improved larval survival and reduced bacterial burden compared to control groups. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the absence of biofilm formation on nisin-coated K-wires. Conclusions: These findings suggest that nisin-enriched coatings could be a viable strategy for preventing bone and joint infections. Additionally, this study demonstrates the feasibility of testing implant coatings in a cost-effective and ethically sound alternative in vivo model. Further evaluation and testing of the nisin-enhanced coating in vertebrate animal implant infection models is warranted.
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spelling doaj-art-8f15d0b49ace4f1aba18cbe7765c562f2025-08-20T03:28:22ZengForum Multimedia Publishing LLCEuropean Cells & Materials1473-22622025-06-015113614410.22203/eCM.v051a08Nisin-enriched coatings on titanium implants prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation: the Galleria mellonella model as a testing platformM RuppGK MannalaN WalterD MendelsohnC RoupieG LadamB LabatRMY WongWH CheungC BrochhausenV AltM RioolP ThebaultBackground: Bone and joint infections pose significant clinical challenges, often leading to severe complications and substantial healthcare costs. Traditional antibiotic therapies are becoming increasingly ineffective due to rising antibiotic resistance and the biofilm-forming ability of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Antimicrobial coatings offer a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of implant-associated and bone infections. Following the demonstrated in vitro efficacy of nisin, a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide, in preventing S. aureus biofilm formation, this study investigates the in vivo potential of a nisin-enriched coating to prevent biofilm-related infections using the Galleria mellonella larva haematogenous implant infection model. Methods: Methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) EDCC 5055 was used to infect larvae implanted with nisin-coated titanium Kirschner wires (K-wires). Survival rates and bacterial loads on both the K-wires and in larval tissue were analysed. Biofilm formation on K-wires was further analysed using scanning electron microscopy. Results: The results showed that nisin-coated K-wires significantly improved larval survival and reduced bacterial burden compared to control groups. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the absence of biofilm formation on nisin-coated K-wires. Conclusions: These findings suggest that nisin-enriched coatings could be a viable strategy for preventing bone and joint infections. Additionally, this study demonstrates the feasibility of testing implant coatings in a cost-effective and ethically sound alternative in vivo model. Further evaluation and testing of the nisin-enhanced coating in vertebrate animal implant infection models is warranted.https://www.ecmjournal.org/papers/vol051/vol051a08.phpnisintitanium implantstaphylococcus aureusgalleria mellonella
spellingShingle M Rupp
GK Mannala
N Walter
D Mendelsohn
C Roupie
G Ladam
B Labat
RMY Wong
WH Cheung
C Brochhausen
V Alt
M Riool
P Thebault
Nisin-enriched coatings on titanium implants prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation: the Galleria mellonella model as a testing platform
European Cells & Materials
nisin
titanium implant
staphylococcus aureus
galleria mellonella
title Nisin-enriched coatings on titanium implants prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation: the Galleria mellonella model as a testing platform
title_full Nisin-enriched coatings on titanium implants prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation: the Galleria mellonella model as a testing platform
title_fullStr Nisin-enriched coatings on titanium implants prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation: the Galleria mellonella model as a testing platform
title_full_unstemmed Nisin-enriched coatings on titanium implants prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation: the Galleria mellonella model as a testing platform
title_short Nisin-enriched coatings on titanium implants prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation: the Galleria mellonella model as a testing platform
title_sort nisin enriched coatings on titanium implants prevent staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation the galleria mellonella model as a testing platform
topic nisin
titanium implant
staphylococcus aureus
galleria mellonella
url https://www.ecmjournal.org/papers/vol051/vol051a08.php
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