title: Control of staphylococcal adhesion to polystyrene surfaces by polymer surface modification with surfactants.
abstract: The adherence of three clinical isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis to model polystyrene surfaces was studied in vitro using epifluorescent image analysis. A series of 16 Pluronic surfactants (A-B-A block copolymers where A is poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and B is poly(propylene oxide) (PPO)) were used as surface modifiers for the model polystyrene surfaces. Substantial reductions (up to 97%) in bacterial adhesion levels were achieved with all copolymers tested, irrespective of the PPO or PEO block lengths. It appears likely that such treatments create a sterically stabilized surface with adsorbed PEO chains, conferring nonspecific anti-adhesive properties which can limit bacterial attachment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, UK.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bridgett
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Denyer
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008422:Materials Testing; D011060:Poloxalene; D011137:Polystyrenes; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011137:Polystyrenes; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D011060:Poloxalene