Innate glycosidic activity in metallic implants for localized synthesis of antibacterial drugs

Iron-containing metallic implants are shown herein to mediate hydrolysis of glycosidic linkages. Using glucuronide prodrugs for broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibacterial agents, we capitalize on this behaviour and perform localized synthesis of antimicrobials which affords a significant zone of inhibition of bacterial growth around the metallic material.