Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of platelet-rich fibrin and titanium platelet-rich fibrin with and without incorporation of antibiotics on Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans: An in vitro study.

Background: Infection control is of paramount importance after any periodontal therapy to achieve proper wound healing and regeneration of periodontal tissues. Clinicians continuously strive to provide procedures and/or materials that allow for enhanced and rapid wound healing. The regenerative potential of platelet concentrates like platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has been explored for their anti-inflammatory action and liberation of growth factors; however, research is lacking on the antibacterial properties of platelet-rich gels. The present in vitro study was done to assess the antimicrobial activity of PRF and titanium PRF (T-PRF) alone or with antibiotics on periodontal pathogens.

Materials and methods: Thirty-three individuals who were willing to donate blood (12 ml) were included in the study. Amoxicillin (AMOX) + metronidazole (METRO) combination or clindamycin (CLINDA) was incorporated into the blood drawn, and this blood was subjected to centrifugation so as to obtain T-PRF and PRF with antibiotics. The antibacterial activity of all the groups was tested on both bacteria that were cultured in their respective media for up to a 4-day period. The data were subjected to independent t-test, Tukey post hoc test, repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA), and ANOVA.

Results: All individual parameters were compared for antimicrobial activity on both bacteria on all 4 days. A highly statistical difference (P = 0.0001) was observed in all the groups, with the highest inhibition zone produced by PRF-CLINDA, followed by T-PRF-CLINDA. Antimicrobial activity was evident for the observed 4-day period, which declined from day 1 to day 4.

Conclusion: T-PRF/PRF with and without antibiotics exhibited antimicrobial activity on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis over the observed 4-day period.