Quantitative Analysis of Early-stage Transient Adhesion Between Bioactive Glass and Planktonic Bacteria

Abstract

Bacterial infections associated with implants continue to present major clinical challenges. This study examines the interactions between planktonic bacteria and bioactive glass 58S using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), focusing on the influence of crystallinity and composition on antibacterial performance. Amorphous 58S synthesized via the sol-gel method demonstrated superior antibacterial efficacy compared to its semi-crystalline counterparts. The incorporation of silver nanoparticles into 58S further enhanced antibacterial activity, particularly against E. coli. AFM revealed stronger adhesion forces for E. coli compared to S. aureus, with irreversible attachment beginning within one second. The composition also exhibited excellent bioactivity, making it suitable for implant coatings and porous scaffolds.