A new antibacterial carrier of hyaluronic acid gel.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Postoperative infection following total joint arthroplasty is thought to be one of the most serious and devastating complications. To develop an effective treatment for this complication, we tested a bioabsorbable antibacterial carrier that is made from novel cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) gel and gentamicin (GM). METHODS: Antibacterial activity of the carrier was evaluated by the agar diffusion test, direct contact test, in vivo mouse model, and in vivo rabbit osteomyelitis model. RESULTS: GM-containing HA gel suppressed bacterial growth both in vitro and in vivo. In the rabbit osteomyelitis model, beads coated with HA gel containing GM did not disturb bone ongrowth in the femoral stem. CONCLUSIONS: Our bioabsorbable carrier of antibiotic-containing HA gel is effective for prophylactic treatment or treatment of an actual deep infection following total joint arthroplasty.