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Sodium hypochlorite is more effective than chlorhexidine for eradication of bacterial biofilm of staphylococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Periprosthetic infection is a common reason for surgical revision. Given the increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics (e.g., VRE, 4-MRGN) local antiseptic treatment is gaining in importance. However, no standard guideline-based treatment recommendation is yet available. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine against bacterial biofilms. Furthermore, the toxicity of both antiseptics towards human chondrocytes was examined.

Methods

Human chondrocytes were isolated, cultivated and treated with sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine. The viability of cultures was assessed by determination of cell count, XTT and MTT ELISAs, and fluorescent staining with propidium iodide. Bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were added to liquid media and incubated overnight. After determination of bacterial concentrations polyethylene (PE) devices were inoculated with bacteria for 48 h until biofilms formed. The devices were then washed, treated with antiseptics for 2 and 5 min and subsequently spread on agar plates.

Results

Sodium hypochlorite is more effective than chlorhexidine in penetrating biofilms of S. aureus, S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa. Both antiseptics are chondrotoxic, but sodium hypochlorite damages human chondrocytes less than chlorhexidine in vitro.

Conclusions

The findings confirm the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine against bacterial biofilms. Both antiseptics can be recommended for the treatment of periprosthetic infections. The toxic effects of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine towards chondrocytes may mean there is a risk of damage to cartilage tissue.

Level of evidence

Controlled experimental study.

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Funding

This study was supported by the non-profit research fund of Stiftung Endoprothetik (Grant S 01/17) (Hamburg, Germany).

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Author notes

  1. E. Röhner and B. Jacob contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Department of the Waldkliniken Eisenberg, Orthopaedic Professorship of the University Hospital Jena, Campus Eisenberg, Klosterlausnitzer Straße 81, 07607, Eisenberg, Germany

    E. Röhner, B. Jacob, S. Böhle, S. Rohe, G. Matziolis & T. Zippelius

  2. Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany

    B. Löffler

Authors
  1. E. Röhner
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  2. B. Jacob
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  3. S. Böhle
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  4. S. Rohe
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  5. B. Löffler
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  6. G. Matziolis
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  7. T. Zippelius
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Röhner.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of our Center and conducted in accordance with the ethical Standards.

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Röhner, E., Jacob, B., Böhle, S. et al. Sodium hypochlorite is more effective than chlorhexidine for eradication of bacterial biofilm of staphylococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 28, 3912–3918 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-05887-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-05887-9

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