Antibacterial effect of autologous platelet gel enriched with growth factors and other active substances: an in vitro study

J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2007 Mar;89(3):417-20. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.89B3.18491.

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma is a new inductive therapy which is being increasingly used for the treatment of the complications of bone healing, such as infection and nonunion. The activator for platelet-rich plasma is a mixture of thrombin and calcium chloride which produces a platelet-rich gel. We analysed the antibacterial effect of platelet-rich gel in vitro by using the platelet-rich plasma samples of 20 volunteers. In vitro laboratory susceptibility to platelet-rich gel was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method. Baseline antimicrobial activity was assessed by measuring the zones of inhibition on agar plates coated with selected bacterial strains. Zones of inhibition produced by platelet-rich gel ranged between 6 mm and 24 mm (mean 9.83 mm) in diameter. Platelet-rich gel inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and was also active against Escherichia coli. There was no activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, platelet-rich gel seemed to induce the in vitro growth of Ps. aeruginosa, suggesting that it may cause an exacerbation of infections with this organism. We believe that a combination of the inductive and antimicrobial properties of platelet-rich gel can improve the treatment of infected delayed healing and nonunion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Blood Platelets / physiology*
  • Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests / methods
  • Enterococcus faecalis / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Gels
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / drug effects
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Platelet Count
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Thrombin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Gels
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Thrombin