Lactam inhibiting Streptococcus mutans growth on titanium

Objectives: The discovery that bacterial-communication systems, such as quorum-sensing (QS), has provided novel insights for the treatment of bacterial infections.Therefore, identifying substances that are able to inhibit bacterial adherence and biofilm formation constitutes a promising approach for the development of a new generation of antimicrobial drugs targeted to bacterial virulence rather than bacterial viability, avoiding development of bacterial resistance.
The aim of this work was to analyze the activity of novel synthetic compounds derived from furanones, named lactams, against biofilm formation on titanium surfaces.
Methods: Titanium (Ti6Al4V) samples were exposed to Streptococcus mutans medium containing or not lactams. After 48 h incubation, planktonic growth was determined by spectrophotometry. Biofilm biomass was quantified by crystal violet staining, by plating of the adherent bacteria recovered from the surface of the material, followed by quantification of colony forming units (CFU.mL-¹).Also, morphological aspects of biofilm were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results were statistically analyzed via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: Results showed a decrease of biofilm density and CFU/mL on titanium surfaces in the presence of lactams. However, biofilm accumulation was noticed by SEM at rougher areas on the titanium samples even though lactams was surrounding in the medium.
Conclusions:
This study indicates that lactam may reveal potential for the inhibition of the initial stages of bacterial biofilms on implant surfaces.Nevertheless, implant surfaces exposed to the oral environment should also be polished to avoid biofilm accumulation