title: Decreased bacterial adherence to silver-coated stent material: an in vitro study.
abstract: Bacteria are important in causing biliary stent blockage through adherence and subsequent biofilm formation. In our in vitro system, surface modification using test polyurethane discs with silver coating led to a reduction in the number of adherent bacteria compared with untreated controls by 10- to 100-fold in an apparently dose-related manner. The effect was more marked in the presence of bile. These results suggest that silver coating may have a potential benefit in preventing stent blockage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Costerton
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001646:Bile; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012834:Silver; D015607:Stents; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D011140:Polyurethanes; D012834:Silver