Kinetics of colonization of a porous vitreous carbon percutaneous implant.
Implants of porous vitreous carbon with pore diameters 200-500 microns were surgically placed in rabbits and pigs. Skin colonization experiments were carried out by topically inoculating concentrations of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in a test area adjacent to the implant and to a remote control area. Subsequent swab cultures were taken at 6, 24, 48 and 72 h and one or more weeks. In vitro attachment studies were also performed using bacteria stained with FITC on 1 mm slices of the porous carbon. Proplast was used as a control. Results showed that despite a temporary high rate of colonization and obvious binding of the bacteria to the carbon, the skin-implant interface resists infection by both normal and pathogenic flora.
Nowicki
B
B
Department of Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
Runyan
R S
RS
Smith
N
N
Krouskop
T A
TA
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002244:Carbon; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development; D007700:Kinetics; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development; D013552:Swine
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002244:Carbon