Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of sutures soaked in injectable platelet rich fibrin or platelet rich fibrin lysate against common oral pathogens: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Suture materials in the oral cavity can promote bacterial adhesion and contamination. While antimicrobial-coated sutures are effective, their use is limited by cost, availability, and toxicity. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) derivatives have shown antimicrobial activity against periodontal pathogens. This study compared the antimicrobial efficacy of sutures soaked in saline, i-PRF, and PRF lysate.

METHODS

An in vitro study was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of sutures soaked in saline, i-PRF, and PRF lysate. The sutures were tested against Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia, and Porphyromonas gingivalis by measuring inhibition zones. Non-absorbable 3-0 black silk sutures were cut and soaked for 10 minutes in saline (group A), i-PRF (group B), or PRF lysate (group C), then incubated anaerobically at 37 °C for 24 hours. Additionally, samples from all three groups were incubated at 37 °C in 5 mL of saliva from patients with chronic periodontitis, and colony-forming units (CFUs) were assessed on days 1, 3, 5, and 7.

RESULTS

Sutures soaked in i-PRF and PRF lysate demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the zone of inhibition and a reduction in CFU against S. mutans, P. intermedia, and P. gingivalis. Scanning electron microscopy analyses showed a fibrin network on sutures soaked in i-PRF and PRF lysate.

CONCLUSION

The antimicrobial efficacy of i-PRF- and PRF lysate-treated sutures against oral pathogens appears promising. These biologically enhanced sutures may serve as effective alternatives to conventional antimicrobial sutures.