Fig. 3A–C.

Illuminated TAPP-allograft is antibacterial and its activity is moderated by glutathione. (A) Control allograft (PBS) or TAPP-allograft was incubated (18 hours) with S. aureus in the dark or while illuminated. Adherent bacteria (green) were visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. (B) Number of adherent bacteria recovered from the different allograft surfaces as determined by direct counting. The table indicates the absence (−) or presence (+) of light activation (Illumination), TAPP adsorbed to allograft (TAPP), and the presence of allograft bone (Allograft). **p < 0.01 when compared with the dark control as determined by one-way analysis of variance. (C) Control (PBS) or TAPP-allograft was incubated with S. aureus in the light in the presence of 0 or 20 mM glutathione (GSH). Bacterial adherence and density (green) was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. For A and C, magnification: scale bar = 500 µm.