Picture: Dr. Jason Mansell holding an orthopaedic implant.
Research led by Dr. Jason Mansell, Associate Professor of Hard Tissue Biology at the Centre for Biomedical Research will investigate novel antibacterial titanium surface coatings to help combat the continuing problem of staphylococcal infection in joint replacements
Total Joint Replacement (TJR) is the replacement of joints such as knees and hips with an artificial implant. Titanium is used extensively in implant devices as it has many advantageous properties. While joint replacement is typically very effective, 1 in 250 of these will become infected, and so will need to be replaced. The repeated surgery is challenging for patients, as well as adding £1.5 bn to the NHS budget. The main sources of infection are from species of Staphylococcal bacteria.
A potential solution to this problem is to develop implant coatings that possess antibacterial properties. Ideally, the selected agent will have a natural and robust affinity for the surface which will withstand the rigours of surgery and continue to function after implantation.
Phosphomycin is a small, broad-spectrum antimicrobial that was discovered in 1969. While it is a somewhat forgotten molecule, it exhibits excellent activity against staphylococci, including MRSA. As a coating for titanium it is particularly attractive, as being a phosphonic acid species, it is predicted to have a strong binding affinity for this surface, while also being relatively simple to coat.
The twelve month research project is being funded by Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity through their Orthopaedics Legacy programme, and is a collaboration with Mr. Niall Sullivan, an NHS Consultant in Trauma and Hip Surgery based at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust. It will explore the binding of phosphomycin to titanium, assess its antibacterial activity and also identify any potential impact on bone health.