title: In vitro adherence of bacteria to prosthetic grafting materials.
abstract: Adherence of bacteria to prosthetic grafting material is thought to play an important role in the ultimate development of prosthetic infections. To evaluate the role of bacterial adherence in the initiation and colonization of prosthetic materials, Proplast II, Gore-Tex, and silicone were evaluated for adherence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Bacteria were radio labeled and incubated with the study material. Adherence was determined by scintillation. Adherence to Proplast II and Gore-Tex reached a maximum at approximately 45 minutes of incubation and demonstrated a detachment phenomenon with E. coli. Similar results were noted with S. aureus, but with a maximal attachment at approximately 30 minutes. Interestingly, bacterial attachment to silicone continued to increase throughout the time of the incubation. In addition, adherence of S. aureus was at a faster rate than E. coli. Attachment of bacteria is a multifactorial process. However, the PTFE graft demonstrates a slower rate of attachment, lower total number of attached bacteria, and faster detachment. The importance of this phenomenon may help explain the foreign body effect of increased susceptibility to infection of foreign materials.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Creighton University, Omaha, NE.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Stromberg
mesh_terms: D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012588:Scintillation Counting; D012828:Silicones; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene