Abstract
Implant-associated infections are a frequent complication of surgeries involving biomaterial implants. Staphylococcus and Enterococcus species are the leading causes of infections linked to bone-anchored and joint implants. To address this challenge, developing antibacterial coatings to prevent bacterial attachment and biofilm formation on biomaterials is critical. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of two biomaterial coatings: titanium nitride (TiN) and titanium nitride with silver nanoparticles (TiN/Ag). Antibacterial activity was tested against common biofilm-forming pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium. The results demonstrated that both coatings significantly reduced bacterial cell counts, with the TiN/Ag coating showing superior performance due to the addition of silver nanoparticles. This enhancement was particularly effective in reducing biofilm formation across all the tested strains, with the most pronounced effects observed for E. faecium and E. faecalis. The silver nanoparticles synergistically improved the antibiofilm properties of the TiN coating, efficiently disrupting biofilm integrity and reducing bacterial adhesion. By reducing bacterial attachment and biofilm formation on biomaterial surfaces, TiN/Ag coatings offer a promising strategy to minimize complications associated with biomaterial implants. These findings highlight the potential of TiN and TiN/Ag coatings for medical applications.