S. aureus develops biofilms on titanium within 2 weeks in vitro.

Abstract

The formation of biofilms, characterized by cell aggregation and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production, is a common feature of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). The current study aimed to investigate the development of biofilm features in vitro within less than 3 weeks by Staphylococcus aureus isolated from PJIs. Biofilms were grown on sandblasted titanium discs, and fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy were used to observe biofilm maturation for 21 days. DNA mass decreased initially, then increased from day 5 onwards, and decreased again after day 7. The proportion of living to dead bacteria oscillated until day 7 and increased at day 10 for strain A and day 14 for strain B. EPS mass decreased initially and then continuously increased. Multilayer bacterial organization was observed at day 7. Cell aggregation occurred during the first week, followed by EPS production in the second week, and characteristic biofilm features were observed within 1 to 2 weeks.