In-vitro antibiofilm activity of chlorhexidine digluconate on polylactide-based and collagen-based membranes

In Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR), barrier membranes are used to allow selective cell populations to multiply and to promote periodontal regeneration. A frequent complication is membrane exposure to the oral cavity followed by bacterial colonization. The purpose of this in-vitro-study was to elucidate, if rinsing with a chlorhexidine digluconate solution (CHX) prevents bacterial adhesion, and whether it interferes with attachment of periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts and epithelial cells to membrane surfaces.

Firstly, two bioresorbable membranes (polylactide-based and collagen-based) were dipped into 0.06% CHX and 0.12% CHX, before biofilms (2-species representing periodontal health, 6-species representing a periodontitis) were formed for 2 h and 8 h. Subsequently, colony forming units (cfu) were counted. Secondly, the membranes were treated with CHX and inoculated in bacteria suspension two-time per day for 3 d before cfu were determined. In additional series, the influence of CHX and bacterial lysates on attachment of epithelial cells and PDL fibroblasts was determined. Parameter-free tests were applied for statistical analysis.

Cfu in “healthy” biofilms did not differ between the two membranes, more cfu were counted in “periodontitis” biofilm on collagen than on polylactide membranes. One-time dipping of membranes into CHX solutions did not markedly influence the cfu counts of both biofilms on polylactide membrane; those on collagen-based membrane were significantly reduced with being 0.12% CHX more active than 0.06% CHX. More-fold CHX dipping of membranes reduced concentration-dependent the cfu counts of both biofilms on both membranes. In general, the number of attached gingival epithelial cells and PDL fibroblasts was higher on collagen than on polylactide membrane. Lysates of the periodontopathogenic bacteria inhibited attachment of PDL fibroblasts to membranes. CHX decreased in a concentration-dependend manner the number of attached gingival epithelial cells and PDL fibroblasts.

The present in-vitro results appear to indicate that membranes in GTR should only be used when bacteria being associated with periodontal disease have been eliminated. An exposure of the membrane should be avoided. Rinsing with CHX may prevent or at least retard bacterial colonization on membrane exposed to the oral activity. However, a certain negative effect on wound healing cannot be excluded.