The present study was intended to investigate the antibacterial performance and biocompatibility of a novel phosphorus-magnesium fiber (PMF). The PMF was found to exhibit excellent antibacterial performance against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, exceeding 95% when the PMF concentration was higher than 500 mu g mL (-1). MTS analysis was performed to assess the in vitro cytotoxicity of PMF, which showed PMF with a concentration range of 100-1000 mg L (-1) had no significant toxic effects on L929 fibroblast cells. In addition, the in vivo toxicity assay of PMF was studied in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos, and the results confirmed little toxicity at effective antibacterial concentration. Hence, PMF was proved to be a potential coating or filling material with promising antibacterial performance for in implantable medical devices. (c) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.