Loading halloysite clay nanotubes with antibiotics (gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline) allowed their slow controlled release over 10-300 hours. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and calcium phosphate (CP) bone cements admixed with antibiotics are commonly used in surgeries to fill gaps between medical implants and the surrounding bone. Current treatment modalities fail to provide sustained antibiotic release; bacterial infection is not controlled, often leading to revision surgery. Antibiotics loaded HNTs were mixed with PMMA bone cement to test antibacterial and mechanical properties. Composites inhibited bacterial growth on implants tested on confluent bacterial cultures of E.coli, S.aureus and P.aeruginosa. Halloysite addition into both PMMA and CP cement improved tensile strength with PMMA showing increased strength (1.5 timeswith 5% HNTs). A fivefold increase in implant adhesion to bovine femoral bone was also observed with 8% HNTs/PMMA, which is critical in avoiding aseptic loosening. CP cements, with 10% HNT addition, also improved stress response over 10 times; with elongation at the break improved 2.5 times and tensile modulus by 4 times.

Antibiotic-loaded clay nanotubes for long acting controlled release antimicrobial preparations

245th National Meeting (2013)

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