Background: The aim of the present in vitro study was to explore the possibility of using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as a local sustained released device for antibiotics.
Materials and methods: Platelet-rich fibrin was prepared with the addition of antibiotics (5 mg/ml metronidazole; 150 mg/ml clindamycin; 1 mU/ml penicillin) or saline prior to centrifugation, while collagen sponges served as control. PRFs anti-bacterial properties were examined in an anti-biogram assay with Staphylococcus aureus or Fusobacterium nucleatum at different time intervals after PRF preparation.
Results: The addition of antibiotic solutions at volumes of 2 or 1 ml led to significant changes in PRF's physical properties, while the addition of 0.5 ml solution did not. PRF with saline showed minor anti-bacterial activity, while all PRFs with antibiotics showed significant anti-bacterial activity (p < 0.05). No differences were observed between raw (clot) and pressed (membrane) forms of PRF. Collagen sponges with and without antibiotics showed similar results to PRF. PRF and collagen sponges with antibiotics preserved their anti-bacterial properties 4 days after preparation.
Conclusions: Platelet-rich fibrin incorporated with antibiotics showed long-term anti-bacterial effect against F. nucleatum and S. aureus. This modified PRF preparation may be used to reduce the risk of post-operative infection in addition to the beneficial healing properties of PRF.
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