In vitro elution characteristics of antibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate cement and a calcium sulfate bone substitute using staphylococci isolated from orthopedic implant-associated infections.

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) remains the gold standard antibiotic carrier in the management of osteomyelitis. However, biodegradable ceramic carriers may exhibit more efficient antibiotic elution properties. Through zone of inhibition (ZOI) testing and biofilm killing assays, we assessed the in vitro elution efficacy of vancomycin released from calcium sulfate (PG-CSH) and PMMA beads as carriers on clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, which were isolated from sonication fluid of orthopedic implant-associated infections.