| abstract |
Orthopedic and dental implants coated with an antibacterial coating and methods of making and using, are described herein. The implant can be coated with a hydrophobic, polycationic antibacterial polymer. The polymer can be covalently or non-covalently associated with the surface; however, in particular embodiments, the polymer is non-covalently associated with the surface. As shown in the examples below, clinical observations, digital radiography, and a battery of well-accepted ex vivo analytical methods show that the presence of a hydrophobic polycationic polymer coating, such as N,N-dodecyl,methyl-PEI coating on the surface of a metal implant, was effective in eliminating the clinical signs of infection in vivo in a large animal infection model. Moreover, the coated plates supported bone healing, and in fact decreased healing times, even in the presence of significant bacterial contamination compared to a control. |