Inhibition of bacterial adhesion and prevention of biofilm formation: Use of organic self-assembled monolayers on inorganic surfaces

Implant related nosocomial infections are a serious public health concern. Colonisation by contaminating bacteria of the bare implant surface may lead to the formation of a biofilm protecting bacteria against host defences and antibiotics. To decrease the risk of infection, a strategy is to modify the biomaterial surface by an antibacterial coating, inhibiting bacterial adhesion (passive coatings) or able to kill bacteria (active L coatings). This article describes the potential of self-assembled monolayers as antibacterial coatings allowing the molecular level control of the L surface properties of inorganic substrates. After a presentation of the compounds used to form self-assembled monolayers, we present the literature dealing with antibacterial monolayers and the latest developments concerning active phosphonate monolayers that significantly inhibit the growth of bacterial biofilm. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS.