Iodine-doped TiO(2) nanotube coatings: a technique for enhancing the antimicrobial properties of titanium surfaces against Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND: Implant-related infections are a challenging complication of orthopedic surgery, primarily due to the formation of bacterial biofilms on the implant surface. An antibacterial coating for titanium implants was developed to provide novel insights into the prevention and treatment of implant-related infections. METHODS: Titanium plates were coated with TiO(2) nanotubes by anodization, and iodine was doped onto the coating via electrophoretic deposition. The obtained plates were characterized using a range of analytical techniques. Subsequently, Staphylococcus aureus was inoculated onto the surfaces of untreated titanium plates (control group), TiO(2)-nanocoated titanium plates (TiO(2) group), and iodine-doped TiO(2)-nanocoated titanium plates (I-TiO(2) group) to compare their antibacterial properties. RESULTS: Twenty-four hour in vitro antimicrobial activity test of the I-TiO(2) group against Staphylococcus aureus was superior to those of the other groups, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This coating technology provides a new theoretical basis for the development of anti-infective implants against Staphylococcus aureus in orthopedics.