Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm on implant material is reduced by covalently linked thiophenone.

Aims: The present aims were firstly to coat metal implant material with a quorum sensing inhibitory thiophenone molecule, and secondly to assess the inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm accumulation on thiophenone-coated coupons. Method and Results: Thiophenone-and control-coated metal coupons were prepared by silane hydrolysis and dip coating. The linking of thiophenone to the surface was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. Biofilm by Staph. epidermidis, a frequent cause of implant-associated infections, was allowed to form under flowing conditions for 48 h. The biofilm accumulations were significantly reduced on the thiophenone-coated coupons. This was confirmed by confocal scanning microscopy. Conclusion: This study showed for the first time how a synthetic thiophenone may be covalently linked to a stainless steel surface, and that biofilm accumulations on such surfaces are significantly reduced. Significance and Impact of the Study: Functionalizing surfaces by covalent linking of thiophenones might open a wide array of applications. Thiophenone coating of medical implants represents a novel and promising approach to prevent implant-associated infections.