The rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria and the decreasing efficacy of antibiotic therapy in successfully treating biofilm-associated infections are prompting the exploration of alternative treatment options. This study investigates the efficacy of different bioactive glass (BAG) formulations - alone or combined with vancomycin - to eradicate biofilm. Further, we study the influence of BAG on pH and osmotic pressure as important factors limiting bacterial growth. Different BAG-S53P4 formulations were used for this study, including (a) BAG-powder (<45 μm), (b) BAG-granules (500–800 μm), (c) a cone-shaped BAG-scaffold and (d) two kinds of BAG-putty containing granules, with no powder (putty-A) or with additional powder (putty-B), and a synthetic binder. Inert glass beads were included as control. All formulations were tested in a concentration of 1750 g/ml in Müller-Hinton-Broth. Targeted bacteria included methicillin-resistant To investigate the antibiofilm effect of BAG alone or combined with vancomycin, 3 hour-old MRSA or MRSE biofilms were formed on porous glass beads and exposed to BAG ± vancomycin for 24h, 72h and 168h. After co-incubation, biofilm-beads were deep-washed in phosphate-buffered saline and placed in glass vials containing fresh medium. Recovering biofilm bacteria were detected by measuring growth-related heat production at 37°C for 24h by isothermal microcalorimetry. Changes in pH and osmotic pressure over time were assessed after co-incubation of each BAG formulation in Müller-Hinton-Broth for 0h, 24h, 72h and 168h.Aim
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